BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in children has some difficulties compared with adult cases. Despite the children's total blood volume is small, they have a relatively higher volume of blood per weight than adults. Also, it is hard for the children to maintain 2 central vein during leukapheresis to shorten the time consumed. We compared the artery-harvest and central vein-harvested group for possible risk and stem cell yield in pediatric patients with malignancies. METHODS: From August, 1995 to January, 1997, 21 leukapheresis was performed by 7 patients. The patients who could have 2 central veins for leukapheresis were included in vein-harvested group and the patients who could have only 1 central vein were included in artery-harvested group. The peripheral vein was not used for leukapheresis. COBE Spectra(COBEBCT, Lakewood, CO) was used and priming was done by packed RBCs in patients weighing less than 20kg. Stem cell yield was assessed by MNC, CD34+, CFU-GM, respectively. During leukapheresis, the patients were closely monitored for change in vital sign, evidence for thrombosis, bleeding, hypocalcemia, etc. RESULTS: There was no serious complication in each group of patients. After the leukapheresis, WBC and platelet count decreased but Hb level was increased due to reinfusion of primed packed RBCs. Average flow rate was higher in vein-harvested group but there was no difference in time consumed and results in stem cell assay. CONCLUSION: Peripheral stem cell harvest in children by radial artery can be performed safely and easily without an increased risk or complication. In younger children, it is possible to achieve even more higher stem cell yield. If the patient is unable to maintain 2 central vein for leukapheresis, transient radial arterial catheterization is a safe and convenient method.
Adult ; Blood Volume ; Catheterization* ; Catheters* ; Child ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Progenitor Cells ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Leukapheresis ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Platelet Count ; Radial Artery ; Stem Cells* ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Vital Signs

From March 1988 to August 1989, 51 knees with clinically suspected meniscus injuries were examined by both MRI and arthroscopy and compared their findings prospectively on the basis of arthroscopic findings to determine the accuracy of MRI in detecting meniscus injury of the knee. We used 2.0 tesla superconducting magnet imager(Spectro-20000, GoldStar, Korea) to obtain MR imaging. Our protocol for imaging was producing Tl sagittal images by spinecho technique and T2 coronal images by gradient echo technique, interleaved at 4mm continuously while the patient's knee was in 8–10 degrees of external rotation and surface coil was placed posteriorly to the knee in supine position. We grouped and correlated the findings of MRI with the arthroscopic findings. With this noninvasive MRI, we could obtain multiplanar, high quality images without compliations. Compared with the arthroscopic findings, MRI resulted in a high diagnostic accuracy of 96 and 86 percent for the medial and lateral meniscus, respectively. And it aided in optimal surgical planning for the clinically suspected meniscus injuries.
Arthroscopy ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Menisci, Tibial ; Prospective Studies ; Supine Position

Ilizarov device is a circular external skeletal fixator with crossed transfixation wires and connecting rods. Its stability depends on the tension in the wire and the spatial orientation of the fixator frame. It provides extreme versatility for correction of three dimensional complex deformities including angulation, rotation, shortening and translation. In an attempt to identify the various factors that contributed to the outcome and the complications of lengthening, we reviewed the first 19 cases of leg lengthening by the Ilizarov technique in 17 patients with leg length inequality or dwarfism. Simultaneous correction of the three dimensional deformities was also aimed at in 13 patients, and osteosynthesis of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in 2 patients. Follow-up periods averaged 1.6 years, ranging from 1 year to 2.8 years. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The amount of lengthening averaged 5.2cm, ranging from 2.0cm to 9.8cm. 2. The percentage increase was 27%, ranging from 9% to 58%. 3. The average healing index (month/cm) was 1.3months/cm and it was higher in the groups that had premature consolidation, complete osteotomy, single level corticotomy and neurologic compromise as compared with the groups that had adequate corticotomy, double level corticotomy and no neurologic complication. 4. The desired lengthening was obtained in 14 cases. Simultaneous correction of the deformities and osteosynthesis for nonunion were also achieved satisfactorily during lengthening. 5. There were sixteen cases of problems (84%), which were pin tract inflammation (7 cases), Transient senrory change (3 cases), knee joint flexion contracture (2 cases), nut breakage (2 cases). There were thirteen cases of obstacles (68%), which were equinus deformity(5 cases), premature consolidation (3 cases), pathologic fracture (3 cases), and delayed consolidation (2 cases). There was only one ture complication case. In conclusion, the Ilizarov technique was very effective for leg lengthening in children, particularly when three dimensional deformities were combined with leg length shortening. But a thorough knowledge of the Ilizarov technique and meticulous care during lengthening are mandatory to prevent the pitfalls and complications.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Dwarfism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Inflammation ; Knee Joint ; Leg Length Inequality ; Leg ; Nuts ; Osteotomy ; Pseudarthrosis ; Tibia

BACKGROUND: Evening primrose oil(EPO) is a rich source of cis-linoleic acid and gammalinolenic acid(GLA) and has been used as a therapeutic agent in various skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suppressive effect of EPO on murine contact sensitivity. METHODS: BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups, positive control, experimental and negative control groups: the positive control group represents a group of mice which were sensitized and challenged with DNFB, the experimental group represents EPO-pretreated positive control group and the negative control group represents a group of mice which were challenged only. The changes of ear thickness were measured, and H & E staining and immunohistochemical staining for ICAM-1 expression of ear skin were performed to evaluate the histological changes of each group. RESULTS: The Pretreatment of mice with EPO resulted in suppression of contact sensitivity by more than 82%. On H & E staining, only a mild inflammatory reaction was observed in the dermis. Also ICAM-1 expression of keratinocytes, the intensity of the staining was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with positive group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that EPO was able to suppress the induction of contact sensitivity.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Dermis ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; Ear ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Keratinocytes ; Mice ; Oenothera biennis* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

No abstract available.
Liver Transplantation* ; Liver*

BACKGROUND: Data on the frequency of Herpes Zoster are sparse, especially in inpatients OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemilogy and the clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in inpatients. METHODS: During a 3-year-Period from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 1991, 157patients with herpes zoster were evaluated in regard to annual, monthly and seasonal incidence age incidenee and sex ratio. Patients with herpes zoster were further assessed concerning associratel conditions, dermatomic distributions and complications. RESULTS: 1. The annual rate ranged from 2.6% to 3.3% (mean 2.8%) and the ratio of male to female was 0.85: 1. 2. There were no marked manthly of spasonal differences in herpsoster, ranging from 4.5% to 10.8% and 21.7% to 31.2%, respectively. 3. Herpes Zoster was seen most frequently in the 50-59 year age group(27.4%) 4. The dermatomic involvernent of herpes zoster was most freqer t of thoracic dermatome(51.6%) and others were trigeminal(19.1%), cervical(13.4%), lumbar(6.4%), sacral(5.7%), facial(1.9%) and generalized(1.9%). 5. The frequency of associated conditions in herpes zoster was in d scending order, hypertension, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, SLE, gastric ulcer, chronic renal failiure, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 6. The most common complication of herpes zoster was postheret c neuralgia and others were ophathalmologic complications, secondary bacterial infection, keloicl, formation, generalized varicelliform eruption, recurrent herpes zoster. CONCLUSION: Herpes Zoster is a major problem in the Department of Dermatology, especially in inpatients.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Bacterial Infections ; Dermatology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Incidence ; Inpatients* ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Seasons ; Sex Ratio ; Stomach Ulcer ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Data on the frequency of Herpes Zoster are sparse, especially in inpatients OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the epidemilogy and the clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in inpatients. METHODS: During a 3-year-Period from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 1991, 157patients with herpes zoster were evaluated in regard to annual, monthly and seasonal incidence age incidenee and sex ratio. Patients with herpes zoster were further assessed concerning associratel conditions, dermatomic distributions and complications. RESULTS: 1. The annual rate ranged from 2.6% to 3.3% (mean 2.8%) and the ratio of male to female was 0.85: 1. 2. There were no marked manthly of spasonal differences in herpsoster, ranging from 4.5% to 10.8% and 21.7% to 31.2%, respectively. 3. Herpes Zoster was seen most frequently in the 50-59 year age group(27.4%) 4. The dermatomic involvernent of herpes zoster was most freqer t of thoracic dermatome(51.6%) and others were trigeminal(19.1%), cervical(13.4%), lumbar(6.4%), sacral(5.7%), facial(1.9%) and generalized(1.9%). 5. The frequency of associated conditions in herpes zoster was in d scending order, hypertension, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, SLE, gastric ulcer, chronic renal failiure, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 6. The most common complication of herpes zoster was postheret c neuralgia and others were ophathalmologic complications, secondary bacterial infection, keloicl, formation, generalized varicelliform eruption, recurrent herpes zoster. CONCLUSION: Herpes Zoster is a major problem in the Department of Dermatology, especially in inpatients.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Bacterial Infections ; Dermatology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Incidence ; Inpatients* ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Seasons ; Sex Ratio ; Stomach Ulcer ; Tuberculosis

We report a case of xanthoma disseminatum in a 24 year old male paitient. Multiple yellow-brown papules developed on the flexor aurfaces, such as the neck, axillae, antecubital fossae, groin, and perianal regions. Some papules were detected arouns the eyes and uvulai. biopsy specimen revealed a dense infiltrate of histiocytes, foam cells, Touton giant cells, and other inflammatory cells. No Langerhans granules were seen in the electron microscopic analysis.
Axilla ; Biopsy ; Foam Cells ; Giant Cells ; Groin ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Xanthomatosis* ; Young Adult

Gastric schwannoma is a rare benign intramural tumor arising from the stomach, and it accounts for only 0.1% of all the different kinds of gastric neoplasms, and it's less than 4% of all the benign gastric tumors. This tumor is very difficult to differentiate from the other mesenchymal tumors by the clinical, endoscopic and radiologic findings. In this study, we demonstrate the appearance of this tumor on endoscopic ultrasound and contrast-enhanced abdomen CT. We also show the histopathologic findings of a surgically confirmed gastric schwannoma that was located in the proper muscle layer.
Abdomen ; Neurilemmoma* ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

Syphilitic aneurysm is a rare type aneurysm followed by syphilitic aortitis. Authors present a case ofsyphilitic aneurysm of the ascending aorta and describe radiological findings on chest roentgenogram, aortogramand computed tomogram.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Syphilis, Cardiovascular ; Thorax