A 3,480 g male neonate showed tachypnea symptom with a serum ionized calcium level of 0.66 mmol/L by routine clinical analysis. He was injected calcium gluconate intravenously through femoral vein catheter to treat the hypocalcemia. On second day after the injection, he started to show erythema in the flank area. The lesion became firm and changed into whitish crust consist of small crystals. Abdominal X-ray and ultrasonography showed the accumulation of calcium deposit in the subcutaneous layer of the lesion. Surgical debridement was performed to remove the crust with calcium deposit and acellular fish skin graft rich in omega-3 (Kerecis) was applied to the defect site for secondary intention of the defect wound. After 2 months, the skin and soft tissue defect were fully covered with healthy normal skin without depression or contracture. This report is a first case of iatrogenic calcinosis cutis without extravasation symptom.

Liver function tests before treatment showed abnormalities of liver function tests during treatment, while 15(68. 2%) of 22 patients who had abnormal liver function tests before treatment showed abnormalities during treatment. In 12 of the 25 patients who showed abnormalities of liver function tests during treatment with allopurinol, allopurinol was stopped and all patients showed improvement of liver function tests. In remaining 13 patients, 10 patients were improved and other 2 patients showed only mild abnormalities of liver function tests despite of continuing allopurinol and 1 patient was lost during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities of liver function tests were common during treatment with allopurinol. Most patiensts who had mild abnormalities of liver functions tests during treatment with allopurinol were improved regardless of continuing allopurinol.
Allopurinol* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gout* ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver*

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of the Codman Hakim programmable valve versus differential pressure valve in the treatment of patients with hydrocephalus. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 83 patients who were implanted the Codmam Hakim programmable valve and differential pressure valve between January 1996 and April 2001. We analyzed complications, the number of shunt revision, and prognosis between the two groups. We analyzed initial pressure setting, the cause of reprogramming, and the number of reprogramming in Codman Hakim programmable valve. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was apparent between the Codmam Hakim programmable valve group and a differential pressure valve group in complications, primary disease entities in shunt revision cases and prognosis(p>0.05). And statistically difference was not apparent in the number of shunt revision(p=0.07). The average pressure and range of initial pressure setting in the Codmam Hakim programmable valve was 97.1mmH2O and 50~150mmH2O, respectively. The number of cases of reprogragmming in the Codmam Hakim programmable valve was 12 in total, 1 time in 9 cases , 2 times in 2 cases, and 3 times in 1case. CONCLUSION: The Codmam Hakim programmable valve can decrease shunt revision caused by underdrainage and overdrainage complications. The optimal pressure settting is the key point to decreasing reprogramming and complications in the Codmam Hakim programmable valve and a differential pressure valve.
Humans ; Hydrocephalus* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

We have recently managed a case of syringomyelia associated with Chiari I Type malformation. The syrinx was found at C2 level to T10 level. And the patient complained left forearm pain and paresthesia in left shoulder, arm with segmental dissociated sensory loss. The cranio-vertebral decompression(suboccipital craniectomy, cervical laminectomy) and the shunting procedures were performed. Postoperative course was not uneven, the clinical and neurological improvement was observed. M.R.I. permitted rapid, exact diagnosis including localization of syrinx and information of associated anomaly.
Arm ; Diagnosis ; Forearm ; Humans ; Paresthesia ; Shoulder ; Syringomyelia*

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), besides immunosuppressive therapy, the immunological abnormalities such as impaired phagocytosis and deficiency of cell-mediated immunity contribute to the increased risk of infection. Most of all, the incidence of tuberculous infection is higher and the pattern tends to be more extensive and extrapulmonary than in general population. Therefore the contributory role of tuberculous infection in mortality of SLE should be emphasized, especially in areas endemic for Mycobacterium tuberculosis like Korea. When tuberculous infection involves central nervous system, it can mimic lupus myelitis, showing the clinical manifestations like paraplegia, sensory impairment and bladder dysfunction. Tuberculous myelitis should be differentiated with lupus myelitis as early as possible for proper treatment and better prognosis. We report a 52 year-old woman with SLE presented with paraplegia and urinary incontinence, who were initially suspected as lupus myelitis. But the AFB smear and culture of cerebrospinal fluid were compatible with tuberculosis myelitis.
Central Nervous System ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Myelitis* ; Paraplegia ; Phagocytosis ; Prognosis ; Tuberculosis ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence

Cerebral cysticercosis is relatively common disease in Korea. But cysts in the ventricular system are rare form. In the ventricular system, they occur most frequently in the 4th ventricle, more rarely in the lateral and 3rd ventricle. We have recently experienced a case of cerebral cysticercosis which involved the 3rd ventricle. A sixty-year old man was admitted because of generalized seizure attack followed by drowsy mentation. On admission, there were no specific localizing and lateralizing neurological abnormalities except bilateral, mild degree optic papilledema. Brain CT scan after intraventricular metrizamide administration disclose a cystic mass in the third ventricle. And the serum ELISA test was positive(patient's titer : 0.31, normal : below 0.18). Anterior transcallosal approach was performed and cystic mass was removed from the third ventricle. Pathological diagnosis of the specimen was cysticercosis. Following surgery, the patient's symptom cleared up and papilledema disappeared gradually.
Brain ; Cysticercosis* ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Korea ; Metrizamide ; Papilledema ; Seizures ; Third Ventricle ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The hemodynamic effects of thyroid hormones which is well established, affect myocardial contractility, heart rate, and myocardial oxygen consumption. The alterations in thyroid function test are frequently seen in patients with nonthyroidal illness and often correlate with the severity of the illness and the prognosis. In this study, thyroid hormone changes were investigated in 20 patients who received cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). All patients showed a state of biochemical euthyroidism preoperatively. The results were as follows : 1. Serum triiodothyronine(T3) reached to its nadir(30.05+/-17.5ng/dl, p<0.001) at 10 minutes after the start of CPB and remained low(p<0.05) throughout the study period. 2. Serum thyroxine(T4) concentration slightly decreased after CPB, but maintained within normal range. 3. Serum free thyroxine(fT4) concentration slightly increased after CPB, but maintained within normal range. 4. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) concentration increased 10 minute after CPB, reached to its nadir(3.37+/-0.81uIU/ml, p<0.001) at 2 hours after CPB. After then, serum TSH concentration decreased and reached its normal levels at 24 hours after CPB. 5. The patients whose postoperative recovery was uneventful(Group 1) had higher serum T3 levels than those who had postoperative complications(Group 2)(p<0.05). Group 1 showed elevating patterns of serum T3 in the fourth day after operation, whereas group 2 did not show such an elevating pattern. These findings are similar to the euthyroid sick syndrome seen in severely ill patients and indicate that patients undergoing open heart surgery have suppression of the pituitary-thyroid axis.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Euthyroid Sick Syndromes ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Myocardial Contraction ; Oxygen Consumption ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones

BACKGROUND: One of the groups with highest risk for avascular necrosis is patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Corticosteroid therapy is also the most important risk factor. No predictive test, however, was known to detect avascular necrosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate hemodynamic flow to the proximal femur in patients with SLE with long term corticosteroid therapy. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with SLE without avascular necrosis and with long-term corticosteroid treatment (mean months; 41 (1-156)) versus 15 healthy controls were evaluated. Medial and lateral circumflex arteries of 44 hips in 22 SLE patients and 30 hips in healthy controls were examined using ultrasoud equipment with color Doppler and power Doppler capability. Arterial pulstality index (PI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) were determined with neutral and internal rotation position (stimulated ischemia). RESULTS: PSV was significantly increased in patients with SLE than healthy controls (70.6+/-40.4 vs 46.9+/-19.3; p<0.001) with neutral position as well as (74.8+/-42.3 vs 49.9+/-19.9; p<0.001) with internal rotation. PI was also higher in SLE patients than healthy controls (8.9+/-6.3 vs 5.5+/-3.4; p<0.001) with neutral position as well as (8.1+/-7.1 vs 3.9+/-2.5; p<0.001) with internal rotation. PI strongly correlated with PSV (r=0.99, p<0.001). But PSV or PI did not correlate with duration of corticosteroid use. CONCLUSION: Peak systolic velocity and pulstality index of arteries to the femur head in patients with SLE with long-term corticosteroid treatment were significantly higher than healthy controls. These hemodynamic changes may contribute to develop avascular necrosis of the hip in patients with SLE.
Arteries ; Femur Head* ; Femur* ; Hemodynamics* ; Hip ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Postpartum Period* ; Postpartum Thyroiditis*

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is related to carcinogenesis and progression of cancer. COX-2 has been detected in thyroid cancer. This suggests that COX-2 inhibitor may be useful to control the growth of thyroid cancer cells as well as the progression of thyroid cancer. Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), acting as an inflammatory cytokine, directly induces the expression of COX-2. We examine whether TCDD controls the effect of COX-2 inhibitor on thyroid cancer cells. METHODS: The effects of TCDD and celecoxib on thyroid papillary carcinoma cell line (SNU790) were examined using cell proliferation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expressed COX-2 levels and the cell cycle-related proteins. The matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and gelatinolytic activity were examined using real time-polymerase chain reaction and zymography. RESULTS: TCDD directly induced the growth of SNU790 and the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin A, cyclin E, p21 and COX-2. Celecoxib suppressed the growth of SNU790 and the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Celecoxib reduced the MMP-2 expression and the gelatinolytic activity, but those effects were decreased in the SNU790 by either pre-treatment with TCDD or co-treatment with TCDD and celecoxib. CONCLUSIONS: Celocoxib effect is directly reduced depending on the exposure to TCDD. TCDD exposure should be considered in the treatment with Celecoxib.
Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin A ; Cyclin D1 ; Cyclin E ; Cyclins ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Flow Cytometry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Proteins ; Pyrazoles ; Sulfonamides ; Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Celecoxib