During evaluation of follow-up curettage of endometrial hyperplasia after progesterone treatment, we have noticed that the foci of squamous or morular metaplasia are persistent or even markedly increased after the hyperplastic glands have all disappeared. These observations have led us to study the histological changes of squamous or morular metaplasia in the hyperplastic endometrium after progesterone treatment and to examine the changes of estrogen receptors(ER) and progesterone receptors(PR) to find out, if there is any pathogenetic role of progesterone administration on the squamous or morular metaplasia. Squamous or morular metaplasia was associated in 21 cases (13.5 %) out of 156 endometrial hyperplasia during the study periods and all of them were associated with complex hyperplasia, but not associated with simple hyperplasia. At follow-up curettage after progesterone treatment, squamous metaplasia newly appeared in 3 cases(20 %), markedly increased in 4 cases(26.7%), persisted in 4 cases(26.7%) and decreased in 4 cases(26.7%), even after hyperplastic glands have all disappeared or were markedly decreased. On immunohistochemical staining, metaplastic foci showed ER- and PR- in 13 cases (87 %) in contrast to the surrounding endometrium and the remaining 2 cases showed minimal ER+ and PR+ confined to several nuclei. Intensity or staining pattern of ER and PR in metaplastic foci were not changed with progesterone treatment. In the background endometrium, intensity of glandular ER+ and PR + was higher than that of the stroma at the initial curettage, however, progesterone treatment predominantly down-regulated glandular ER+ more than stromal ER+. Increment or persistence of squamous metaplasia along the progesterone treatment seemingly would implicate hormonal influences as playing a significant role in the formation of squamous or morular metaplasia and the absence of cellular receptors for these hormones in the metaplastic foci may suggest qualitative changes in the receptors.

Gestational trophoblastic disease associated with the tubal pregnancy is uncommon, and the incidence has been described as 1/5000 tubal pregnancy. We have experienced a case of metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease(GTD) in the lung occuring with complete hydatidiform mole arising in tubal pregnancy. The patient was a 39-year-old, G4P2A2L2 woman with amenorrhea for 5 weeks. Ectopic pregnancy in the right fallopian tube was suspected on transvaginal ultrasonogram. A right adnexectomy was performed. The fallopian tube was markedly dilated and ruptured. The right ovary and a round hematoma had adhered to the external surface of the fallopian tube. On gross examination, no molar tissue was identified. On microscopic examination, the lumen of the dilated fallopian tube was filled with blood clots admixed with several chorionic villi showing hydropic swelling and marked proliferation of atypical trophoblasts. Proliferating syncytio-and cytotrophoblasts invaded the wall of the blood vessels of the fallopian tube and sheets of trophoblasts and some villi were identified in the lumen of blood vessels. Multiple pulmonary nodules thought to be metastatic nodules were identified in the chest X-ray and serum beta-HCG had increased 2 weeks later. This case indicates that a careful pathological examination in the ectopic pregnancy is mandatory, because tubal GTD is not clinically distinguishable from ordinary tubal pregnancy.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.
Anemia* ; Child* ; Hospitalization* ; Humans

Luteal phase defect (LPD) is an ovulatory disorder of considerable clinical importance that leads to delayed endometrial maturation and inadequate endometrium for blastocyst implantation. This disorder is implicated in infertility and recurrent spontaneous abortion. We analyzed the endometrial histological maturation, and the estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) status in patients with unexplained delayed ovulation, and in patients with ovulation induction by clomiphen citrate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the length of the follicular phase influences the endometrial histological maturation and the hormonal receptor status, and to know the effect of clomiphen citrate on the endometrium. In the delayed ovulation group, the endometrium was characterized by an irregular outpouching and dilated lumina of the glands, a decreased secretory activity and predecidualization, and a decreased number of granulocytes in the stroma. In the clomiphen citrate-ovulation induction group, glandular proliferation was markedly diminished with poorly convoluted and narrow glands, secretory activity was decreased, stroma was undecidualized, and there was an absence of granulocytes. ER expression was increased in the glandular epithelium in the delayed ovulation group, and both ER and PR expressions were markedly decreased in the glandular epithelium and stromal cells in the ovulation induction group. Endometrial maturation and differentiation may be diminished by increased estrogenic and relatively deficient progesterone effects in patients with delayed ovulation. The hormonal receptor status might also be influenced by hormonal changes. Clomiphen citrate successfully induced ovulation in patients with delayed ovulation, however, endometrial proliferation and maturation were markedly suppressed. This might be related to the lower pregnancy rate and higher abortion rate in patients with clomiphen citrate induced ovulation.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans

Atypical polypoid adenomyoma(APA) is a rare benign polypoid tumor arising in the uterine endometrium which was first designated by Mazur in 1981. Microscopic examination reveals architecturally and cytologically atypical endometrial glands separated by intersecting fascicles of smooth muscle cells. The tumor can be misdiagnosed as endometrial adenocarcinoma with myometrial invasion, especially on microscopic examination of a curettage specimen. However a granulation tissue-like stromal response is absent and the smooth muscle in APA is more cellular than that of normal myometrium. We are reporting 2 cases of APA of the uterine endometrium which are 1.5 cm and 1.7 cm in size, respectively, in a 30 and a 22 year-old women. This is the first report in Korean literature using the immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin and desmin.
Female ; Humans ; Adenocarcinoma

The relationship between lead related subject symptoms and lead exposure indices was studied in 435 male lead workers in thirteen lead using industries. 212 male office workers who were not exposed to lead occupationally were also studied as a control group. Fourteen lead related symptoms were selected. They were further subdivided into 4 sub-symptom groups such as 1) gastrointestinal, 2) neuromuscular and joint 3) constitutional, and 4) psychological symptoms. Symptom questionnaires were provided to the workers and filled up by themselves and reconfirmed by interviewer(doctor). The test used for the evaluation of lead exposure were blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin in whole blood(ZPP), hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine(DALA). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The higher prevalence rate in the sub-group of neuromuscular and joint symptoms was observed in occupationally lead exposed subjects than non-exposed subjects. Among the sub-groups, the most frequent symptom was "numbness of finger, hands of feet", and the prevalence of the symptom of "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia" were higher in order. 2. While the symptom which showed the biggest difference of prevalence rate among the 14 symptoms between exposed and non-exposed subjects was "numbness of fingers, hands or feet" , the symptom which showed the highest prevalence rate was "feeling tired generally" in exposed and non-exposed subjects, but no statistical difference of symptom prevalence were observed. 3. In total study population, PbB and ZPP had dose-response relationship with 4 symptoms of neuromuscular and joint symptoms ("numbness of finger, hands or feet", "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia") and one symptom of gastrointestinal group("intermittent pains in lower abdomen"). 4. In lead exposed workers, only neuromuscular and joint symptoms group showed dose-response relationship with PbB and ZPP. 5. In lead exposed workers, the prevalence rate of overall symptoms of lead workers with age below 39 years was higher than that of lead workers with age above 40. While neuromuscular and joint symptoms group had a dose-response relationship with PbB in former group, it had a dose-response relationship with ZPP in latter group. 6. Age adjusted odds ratios of symptoms of non-exposed with exposed and odds ratios of low exposed with high exposed workers showed the dose-response relationship of lead exposure with neuromuscular and joint symptoms group("numbness of fingers, hands or feet", "arthralgia", "weakness of fingers, hands or feet" and "myalgia") and gastrointestinal symptoms group("intermittent pains in lower abdoman").
Aminolevulinic Acid ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Occupations ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Zinc

We experienced a case of cutis laxa in a 17-year-old man. The skin showed diminished elasticity with loose folds, wrinkling, and sagging on the abdomen, lower back, and both inner thighs. There was no history of any inflammatory skit diseases prior to the appearance of the wrinkling. Family history revealed to be negative for the skin diseases showing wrinkling and laxity. The biopsy specimen from the skin of the abdomen showed shortened, fragmented elastic fibers in the dermis. The serum copper level was normal(92 ug/dl).
Abdomen ; Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Copper ; Cutis Laxa* ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of MRI on postoperative pain syndrome (POPS), including early complications such as hematoma or infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 54 patients with the POPS, we analyzed pre-operative MRI findings compared with operative findings on 39 patients, excluding nonunion, instability, metal failure and pseudarthrosis, who underwent an operation for POPS from December 1994 to June 1997. There were 25 men (64.1%) and 14 women (35.9%), aged from 16 to 68 years (average 44.5 years). They were divided into 5 subgroups and calculated for sensitivity, specificity and positive predictability. RESULTS: MRI accuracy in recurred disc was 84%, scar adhesion, recurred or developed stenosis, infection and hematoma was 100% for each overall accuracy of MRI was 93%. Average interval of reoperation in POPS was 3.2 years. In 21 cases (53.8%), symptoms persisted without pain-free interval after first operation. CONCLUSIONS: Early complications, including hematoma and infection, are easily detected with MRI. Especially if patient complains of severe leg pain or neurologic deficit, MRI is a good diagnostic tool. MRI is a useful method for evaluation of most cases of POPS, but it is limited in evaluating recurred disc or scar adhesion only in T1, T2 weighted image. Therefore, Gd-DTPA enhancement is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
Cicatrix ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Pseudarthrosis ; Reoperation ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Ligament and tendon prostheses have all suffered because of failure of the particular material that has used in the past. Various materials, including, silk, nylon, Dacron, and combinstions of other synthetic substances, have all enjoyed temporary vogues and have vogues and have all passed out of habitual use because of collapse of the material employed. In an attempt to find an alternative material for use as a tendon or ligament prosthesis, a fundamentally new approach to the problem has been used, namely, that of tendon ligament induction. Carbon fiber has an attraction as a biologic implant because of its inherently inert nature when used in the pure form. Within recent years, it has been possible to manufacture filamentous carbon fiber of high purity and constant filament size, and this material has been examined as a tendon and ligament prosthesis. Both achilles tendons of 14 adult Korean rabbits were replsced with carbon fiber reinforced epoxies(CFRE, it was developed in department of chemical engineering, Chungnam national university, Daejeon, Korea) after artificially rupture, and serial histologic examination of neotendon formations and biologic responces in vivo were done during 8 weeks. The results obtained were as followings ;1. Hemorrhage and inflammatory reactions were observed at 2–3 weeks after operations. 2. Foreign body reactions were developed at 4 weeks after operation, also observed proliferations of foreign body giant cells and histiocytes. 3. Fibroblasts were increased at 4 weeks after operation, and most severe poliferations at 5–6 weeks. 4. Foreign body reactions and fibroblasts were markedly decreased at 7–8 weeks after operation, and examination of the collagen itself showed it to be closely similar to that found on the normsl side.5. Thus, it appeared that the carbon fiber initially acted as a tendon prosthesis.
Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Carbon ; Chemical Engineering ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Foreign Bodies ; Giant Cells, Foreign-Body ; Hemorrhage ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Nylons ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rabbits ; Rupture ; Silk ; Tendons

No abstract available.
Knee Joint* ; Knee*