In a jaundiced patient, it is important to ascertain as early as possible whether the bile duct is dilated. Ultrasonography, computed tomography & conventional cholangiography are widely accepted methods of determining the size of the extrahepatic bile ducts. But there is a considerable discrepancy among the size of the bile duct as measured from them. So the author analyzed and compared the respective diameters of the bile ducts in Korean normal adults as measured from cadaver, IV cholangiography, ultrasoud and computed tomography. The materials were 45 cases of cadaver, 38 cases of IV cholangiography, 100 cases of ultrasonography & 55 cases of computed tomography. The results were as follows ; 1. The diameters of the bile ducts were 7.58±2.26mm at CHD & 8.04±2.42mm at CBD from cadaver ; 5.38±1.90mm at CHD & 6.58±2.37mm at CBD from IV cholanglography ; 3.24±1.13mm at CHD & 4.71±1.48mm at CBD from ultrasonography ; and 4.56±1.51mm at CHD & 5.87±1.68mm at CBD from computed tomography. 2. The diameter of the bile duct was greatest in cadaver, and then reduced in IV cholangiography, computed tomography and ultrasonography in this orde.r 3. There were no size discrepancy between the diameter of the common hepatic duct and that of the common bile duct. 4. There were no discrepanry of the diameter of the bile duct by sex.
Adult* ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Bile* ; Cadaver ; Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Ultrasonography

The anatomical structure of vermiform appendix was studied for 124 Korean adult cadavers and the articles were reviewed with special reference to its position and length. The results are as follows ; 1. On the frequency of positional types based on Wakeley (1933), postileal type was recorded most frequently (37.7%) and retrocecal type was found in 19.7% of cases, showing the difference from other ethnic groups whose most frequent position was retrocecal or pelvic type. 2. In the direction of appendix in relation to the clock, the direction between 1 and 3 o'clock was most frequently found. 3. Appendix of fixed form was found in 22.1% of cases, that of free form 77.9%. In free form, postileal type was found most frequently, but retrocecal type was met most frequently in fixed form. 4. The length of appendix was 5.95±1.64 cm (male ; 6.14±1.67 cm ; female 5.59±1.51 cm). Neither significant difference between sex nor positional type was noted. 5. Positions of appendix are seemed to be set up during fetal stage. The Ethnic variation in the positions of appendix is thought to be determined by inherited physical anthropological factor, not by postnatal one.
Adult* ; Appendix* ; Cadaver ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Obesity, Morbid* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*

We report a case of ectopic thymus in the left submandibular area of a two-month-old boy. On US and CT scans, a well-marginated, 3 x 2cm-sized solid mass along the left carotid sheath, anteromedial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and posterior to the submandibular gland, was seen. CT attenuation of the mass showed that it was similar to that of normal thymus in the anterior mediastinum. Although a rare disease, ectopic thymus should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses along the carotid sheath in infants.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infant* ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Rare Diseases ; Submandibular Gland ; Thymus Gland* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis(BDP) is a rare disorder, which can be secondary to spinal cord injury, motor neuron disease, myopathy, noninfectious polyneuropathy, infection, iced saline cardioplegia performed during cardiac surgery, or idiopathic causes. there may be typical presentations such as dyspnea, paradoxical respiratory movement, and hypercapnic respiratory failure. It needs to exclude above secondary causes to consider idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. We report a 51-years-old man who presented with idiopathic bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis combined with acute pancreatitis. We couldnt, find out the association of these two clinical conditions. The patient was improved by mechanical ventilation.
Dyspnea ; Heart Arrest, Induced ; Humans ; Motor Neuron Disease ; Muscular Diseases ; Pancreatitis* ; Polyneuropathies ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Paralysis* ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Thoracic Surgery

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*

A total of 47 patients with a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was treated in Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital during last 4 years. Of the 47 patients, 23(49%) had undifferentiated carcinoma, 20(43%) had squamous cell carcinoma, while 4(8%) had lymphoepithelioma. Most of the patients(71%) has Stage IV disease, cervical lymph node metastases were found in 36(77%) and distant metastasis was found in 1 at the time of diagnosis. Complete response rate after radiotherapy for 47 patients of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 85.1%. The overall actuarial 3 year survival rates was 0.718 and the disease free actuarial 3 year survival rates was 0.468. Nodal involvement and symptom duration were statistically significiant influencing factors for actuarial survival rate. Treatment failures were found in 20 patients (42.6%), local recurrence only in 6(30%), local and neck recurrence in 3(15%), local recurrence with metastasis in 4(20%) and distant metastasis only in 7(35%). Local failures were more frequent in the patients with cranial nerve symptoms (P=0.032). Distant metastases were more frequent with T4 lesions (P=0.047), and with nodal involvement (P<0.01). Retreatment after the tumor recurrence was chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, two patients refreated for local recurrence were alive without evidence of disease for more than 19 and 44 months after retreatment.
Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cranial Nerves ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy* ; Recurrence ; Retreatment ; Seoul ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Failure

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity has rapidly increased in recent years in South Korea due to westernized life style. Family is one of the most important factors to affect body weight in children through the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, whichs poorly understood in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the parent-offspring relationship and familial aggregation of obesity-related phenotypes and nutrient intake in Korean adolescent families. METHODS: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted in 134 biologic families including adolescents aged 11~19 years, parents, and siblings. Anthropometric measurements, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist & hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and % body fat by BIA were measured. The nutrient intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Intraclass correlations for each variable between family members were calculated after adjustments to correct for the effect of age and sex. RESULTS: The risks for obesity in offsprings increased according to parental obesity. Mothers rather than fathers, and daughters rather than sons had higher significant intrafamilial correlations for almost all of anthropometric variables, and nutrient intake. For height, fathers had higher significant correlations with offspring. However, for total fatness and fat distribution, mothers had higher significant correlations with offspring. The significant correlations for anthropometric variables and nutrition intake existed between the spouses and all offsprings. CONCLUSION: Korean adolescents exhibited significant parent-offspring relationship and familial aggregation for obesity-related phenotypes and nutrient intake. Understanding the relative contributions of shared genes and environmental factors to the familial relationship and aggregation could give insights into the origins of adolescence obesity in the high risk group of family.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Body Weight ; Child ; Fathers ; Hip ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Mothers ; Nuclear Family ; Obesity ; Parents ; Pediatric Obesity ; Phenotype* ; Siblings ; Spouses ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of visual acuity and foveal thickness after vitrectomy for an idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 62 patients (62 eyes) with ERM who had been treated with vitrectomy between 2004 and 2009. Visual acuity and central macular thickness from optical coherence tomography imaging were obtained preoperatively and at every postoperative follow-up visit. RESULTS: Mean preoperative visual acuity and central macular thickness were 0.495 +/- 0.292 log MAR and 414.645 +/- 95.528 microm, respectively. Mean visual acuity and central macular thickness 1 month after surgery were 0.389 +/- 0.373 log MAR and 341.484 +/- 73.676 microm, respectively. Visual acuity improved within 9 months and central macular thickness significantly decreased 12 months after surgery. Most of the changes in visual acuity and central macular thickness took place during the first 3 months. The only parameter which was significantly correlated with final visual acuity was preoperative visual acuity (0.635) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Visual acuity and central macular thickness improved 12 months months after vitrectomy in patients with idiopathic ERM. Preoperative visual acuity had a significant correlation with final visual acuity.
Epiretinal Membrane ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Neutrophils are important effector cells against protozoan extracellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebic colitis and liver abscess in human beings. Apoptotic cell death of neutrophils is an important event in the resolution of inflammation and parasite's survival in vivo. This study was undertaken to investigate the ultrastructural aspects of apoptotic cells during neutrophil death triggered by Entamoeba histolytica. Isolated human neutrophils from the peripheral blood were incubated with or without live trophozoites of E. histolytica and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Neutrophils incubated with E. histolytica were observed to show apoptotic characteristics, such as compaction of the nuclear chromatin and swelling of the nuclear envelop. In contrast, neutrophils incubated in the absence of the amoeba had many protrusions of irregular cell surfaces and heterogenous nuclear chromatin. Therefore, it is suggested that Entamoeba-induced neutrophil apoptosis contribute to prevent unwanted tissue inflammation and damage in the amoeba-invaded lesions in vivo.
Animals ; Apoptosis/*physiology ; Entamoeba histolytica/*physiology ; Host-Parasite Relations/physiology ; Humans ; In Vitro ; Neutrophils/physiology/*ultrastructure ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't