Gastric bezoars are large masses or concretions, composed with plant fiber, hair and miscellaneous foreign bodies, found in the stomach and occur usually as sequele of gastric surgery. We experienced 2 cases of fat bezoars which developed after drinking of melted beef fst. They had postprandial epigastric fullness and pain, those were relieved on supine and left recumbent position. Upper gastrointestinal series showed a large movable mass in the stomach in hoth cases. On gastrofibercopic examination, a large egg sized white bezoar was cordirmed in both cases and a gastrie ulcer at antrum associated in one case. In attempt to removal of the bezoars, we tried to break them, but failed because of its character. The patients were treated with pancreatic lipase containg digestives, Pancreon-F and Azintal. From one day after this treatment, symptoms were completely relieved. Five days later, we confirmed disappearance of bezoars by gastrofiberscopy. and upper gastrointestinal barium
Barium ; Bezoars* ; Drinking ; Foreign Bodies ; Hair ; Humans ; Lipase* ; Ovum ; Plants ; Stomach ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the size of normal pons and cerebellum in vivo and the change in size according to age, and to compare those with measurement of the diseased pons and cerebellum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 121 normal adults(M:F=54:67), 5 patients with OPCD and 19 patients with WallerJan degeneration were studied. The normal group was divided into 5 subgroups according to the age (ranged from 20 to 72 years). 1.5T GE Signa MR unit was used. On axial plane, the AP(A) and transverse(B) diameters of the pons, the size of the middle cerebellar peduncle(C), and transverse diameter of the posterior fossa(D) and the cerebellum(E) were measured. On midsagittal plane, the longitudinal(F) and AP(G) diameters of the basis pontis were measured. The ratios of E/D and F/G were calculated. The student t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C, E and F/G were 15.5mm+/-1.3, 99.8mm+/-4.3 and 1.63+/-.10, respectively. F/G, H/I, and H/J were larger in male(p<.01). All data of the pons showed no statistically significant differences among age groups. E of the seventh decades was shorter than that of the third decades(p<.05). C(12.7 mm+/-1.4) in OPCD and F/G(1. 81+/-.10) in Wallerian degeneration(p<.01) showed the most significant differences when they were compared to the normal. CONCLUSION: Although the cerebellum decreased in size with age, the pons maintained its size up to eighth' decades. The measurement of middle cerebellar peduncle on axial plane (C) and the ratio of basis pontis on midsagittal plane (F/G) were important in the evaluation of OPCD and WallerJan degeneration, respectively.
Cerebellum* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Pons*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and efficacy of the subtalar distraction arthrodesis on patients with complications due to malunion after intra-articular calcaneal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2001 to September 2004, we operated on 10 patients (14 cases). There were 9 male patients and one female; their mean age was 41 years old. Ten cases among them were operated initially. The mean period between initial injury and arthrodesis was 18 months. The mean follow up period was 16 months. During the operation, we used extensile lateral approach and arthrodesis was performed using tricortical bone block and cannulated screws. The ankle-hindfoot scale was used for clinical evaluation. In radiologic analysis, plain X-ray and CT of the both feet were examined for union and various parameters. RESULTS: Thriteen cases achieved radiologic bone union. The mean ankle-hindfoot scale (maximum: 94 points) increased from 52.4 points preoperatively to points 77.2 at the final follow-up. The radiologic analysis of the pre and postoperative standing lateral radiograph showed mean increase of 6.9 mm in talo-calcaneal height, 5.2 degrees in talocalcaneal angle, 4.3 degrees in talar declination angle and average decrease of 4.5 degrees in talo-first metatarsal angle. CONCLUSION: The short term result of the subtalar distraction arthrodesis using tricortical bone block was promising, but longer follow-up will be needed.
Adult ; Arthrodesis* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Metatarsal Bones

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical outcomes and roentgenographic changes after an percutaneous endoscopic discetomy of an intervertebral disc herniation of the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy can preserve normal posterior element in the treatment for herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty two patients (41 men, 11 women), who had been treated with percutaneous endoscopic discectomy due to a herniated intevertebral disc of the lubar spine and were followed at least 1 year, were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 26.5 years (21~45) and the mean follow-up period was 42 months (12~76). Fifteen, 28 and 9 herniated discs were extracted from L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1, respectively. RESULTS: After the percutaneous endoscopic discectomy, excellent and good results were obtained in 71% (37 cases) of patients but 9% (5 cases) of patients reported poor results. A roentgenographic assessment at the final follow-up showed no instability and no degenerative spondylotic finding. However, the intervertebral disc space was decreased in only 1 case. CONCLUSION: An percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is an effective method for treating a herniated intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. However, prudent patient selection is very important for achieving good results.
Diskectomy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Male ; Patient Selection ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine*

Rhabdomyolysis is an acute disorder resulting from skeletal muscle injury in which intracellular contents are released into extracellular space and plasma. The condition may result from drug or alcohol abuse, infection, collagen disease or intensive excersice, trauma and longstanding comatous mentality. We report a case of sciatic nerve palsy complicating gluteal compartment syndrome due to rhabdomyolysis.
Alcoholism ; Collagen Diseases ; Compartment Syndromes* ; Extracellular Space ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Plasma ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Sciatic Neuropathy*

STUDY DESIGN: A review of literature including definition, diagnosis and treatment of neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVES: To review and discuss the treatment guideline for neuropathic pain. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Neuropathic pains are characterized by partial or complete somatosensory change caused by various disorders affecting central and peripheral nervous system, and are especially problematic because of their severity, chronicity and resistance to simple analgesics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review of literature. RESULTS: Tricyclic antidepressants and the anticonvulsants gabapentin and pregablin were recommended as first-line treatments for neuropathic pain. Opioid analgesics and tramadol were recommended as second-line treatments that can be considered for first-line use in selected clinical circumstances. Other medications such as dual reuptake inhibitors of both serotonin and norepinephrine would be used in severe cases. More invasive interventions (e.g., spinal cord stimulation) may sometimes be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment must be individualized for each patient and aggressive, combinatory pharmacotherapy and multidisciplinary approach are recommended for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Amines ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anticonvulsants ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Neuralgia ; Norepinephrine ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Serotonin ; Spinal Cord ; Tramadol

Histopathological and electron microscopical studies were made on 7 cases of Reye syndrome. Histologically brain edema with neuronal degeneration and fatty change in the liver were constant findings, and fatty change of kidneys, heart and pancreas were variably observed. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic mitochondrial abnormalities in the hepatocytes, proximal convoluted tubular cells of kidneys, pancreatic acinar cells and nerve cells, in which the mitochondria were distended with expansion of matrix space and the matrix substance was converted to granular or flocculent material. Lipid droplets of small size were also observed in the various cells. In the hepatocytes abnormal shaped microbodies were noted and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was dilated. Virus-like particles were not found. It is suggested that Reye syndrome is not a rare disease-entity in Korea since the cases of Reye syndrome comprised 3.2 percent of all pediatric autopsies during the same period. The significance and the specificity of the mitochondrial changes in Reye syndrome are discussed.
Brain/pathology ; Case Report ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Human ; Infant ; Kidney/pathology ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myocardium/pathology ; Reye Syndrome/pathology*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of a unilateral balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients, 23 cases of osteoporotic VCFs who failed to respond to nonoperative treatments and who were confirmed by a consultant radiologist, were enrolled in this study. Times between injury and operation varied from 2 weeks to 2 months. All patients except two (18 female, 2 male patients), were female, and mean patient age was 71.7 (58-82) years. Follow-ups were conducted at least 12 months (12-27, mean 18.3). All patients underwent unilateral balloon kyphoplasty. Roentgenographic assessments were perform to evaluate fractured vertebra restoration and reduction loss. A ten-point visual analogue scale was used to measure pre- and postoperative pain severity. RESULTS: Preoperative anterior, middle and posterior heights of vertebra bodies were 57.8%, 66.1% and 85.3% of normal at presentation and these increased to 76.2%, 80.1%, 88.7% respectively at immediately after operation and at last follow-up, heights of each portion were 74.4%, 78.6%, 87.3%. Mean preoperative kyphotic angles of 17.6 degrees at presentation improved to 8.9 degrees at immediately after operations and to 9.1 degrees at last follow-ups. Loss of reduction was 1.8%, 1.5%, 1.4% and 0.2 degrees. Mean pain scores were 8.5 before surgery, 2.5 immediately after operations and 2.7 at last follow-ups. Statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in kyphotic angle (p=0.03) but VAS scores were no different (p=0.056). Anterior, middle and posterior body height was decreased with a statistical significance between two period (p<0.001). PMMA leakage occurred in 3 cases, but they did not cause neurologic deficits. CONSLUSION: Balloon kyphoplasty using a unilateral approach is a good treatment method for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and an alternative to the substitute bilateral approach.
Body Height ; Consultants ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty* ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Osteoporosis ; Pain, Postoperative ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Spine

Laryngomalacia is repoted as the most common cause of congenital stridor. The majority of cases have mild symptom and do not require surgical intervention. However, in approximately 10 per cent of these infants the condition is life-threatening. The standard treatment for these patients has been to perform a tracheostomy. Recent reports have shown encouraging results following endoscopic surgery to the supraglottic structures. We report a case of patient in whom a tracheostomy was avoided by performing an CO2 laser microsurgeries on supraglottis.
Humans ; Infant ; Laryngomalacia* ; Lasers, Gas ; Microsurgery ; Respiratory Sounds ; Tracheostomy

Adult ; Hand ; Humans ; Parietal Bone ; Rabeprazole ; Skull ; Sutures ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants