STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of a TLSO brace treatment for the correction of axial rotational deformities in idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: A TLSO brace treatment is effective in correcting 2-dimensional deformities of idiopathic scoliosis but is questionable in axial rotational deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty three cases treated by bracing in March, 1999~February, 2005 at our department were reviewed. The posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were checked in the standing position throughout the study. The change in axial rotational deformity were analyzed using Nash & Moe method and Perdriolle's method. RESULTS: The rotational deformity had improved in 2 curves, was aggravated in 8 curves, and showed no change in 43 curves with the TLSO brace. CONCLUSIONS: The TLSO brace treatment in axial rotational deformity of idiopathic scoliosis is not effective in correcting the rotational deformity but is effective in preventing the progress of a rotational deformity.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Orthotic Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings for complete and partial ablation after percutaneous CT-guided transthoracic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung VX2 tumor implanted in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen rabbits with successfully implanted lung VX2 were used. Three rabbits as controls did not receive RFA while the other ten rabbits underwent RFA; 5 complete and 5 partial. RFA was performed using an internally cooled, 17-gauge electrode (Radionics, Burlington, MA) with a 1-cm active tip under CT guidance. Postprocedural CT was performed within 3 days, and we analyzed the ablated size, enhancement pattern, shape, margin, and complications of the complete and partial ablation groups. Rabbits were sacrificed after postprocedural CT with an overdose of ketamine, and pathologic findings of the ablated groups were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: The size of the ablated lesions and the enhancement pattern differed between the completely and partially ablated groups on chest CT. The size of the ablated lesions was increased by 47.1% in the completely ablated group and by 2.1% in the partially ablated group. In the completely ablated group, VX2 tumor showed absolutely no enhancement, whereas only ablated pulmonary parenchyma outside VX2 showed mild enhancement on enhanced CT. In the partial ablated group, a part of VX2 became strongly enhanced on enhanced CT. On microscopic examination, the completely ablated group demonstrated that a viable tumor cell was not visible. In the partially ablated group, however, a viable tumor cell within the surrounding fibrous capsule on the peripheral area of the VX2 was observed. CONCLUSION: The important CT findings for evaluation of complete and partial RFA are the ablated size and enhancement pattern of the ablated lesion.
Animals ; Catheter Ablation ; Electrodes ; Ketamine ; Lung* ; Rabbits ; Tomography, Spiral Computed* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of monitoring cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in adult patients using extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry (EHF-PTA) or distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DP-OAE) and to evaluate the concurrence of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in cisplatin-treated patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: EHF-PTA was measured at frequencies of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11.2, 12.5, 14, 16, 18, and 20 kHz and DP-OAE at frequencies of 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz in cisplatin-treated patients (n=10). Baseline evaluations were made immediately before chemotherapy and additional tests were performed before each of six cycles of cisplatin treatment. Laboratory tests to monitor nephrotoxicity were included before every cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Four of 10 patients showed threshold changes on EHF-PTA. Five of 10 patients showed reductions in DP-OAE, but one was a false-positive result. The results of EHF-PTA and DP-OAE were consistent in two patients. Only one patient displayed nephrotoxicity on laboratory tests after the third cycle. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the incidence rate of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity was 40% with EHF-PTA or DP-OAE. Although both EHF-PTA and DP-OAE showed the same sensitivity in detecting ototoxicity, they did not produce the same results in all patients. These two hearing tests could be used to complement one another. Clinicians should use both tests simultaneously in every cycle of chemotherapy to ensure the detection of ototoxicity.
Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone* ; Cisplatin ; Complement System Proteins ; Drug Therapy ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Incidence

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is regarded as initial diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules due to its accuracy and safety. One of the limitations of FNA is variable rate of inadequate specimen. Recently, ultrasound guidance has been suggested as a valuable method to improve diagnostic performance of FNA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rates of adequate specimen when FNA is done with ultrasound guidance. METHODS: This study was performed on 304 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided FNA for thyroid nodules. Ultrasound-guided FNA was performed due to various causes. RESULTS: Inadequate specimens were obtained from 62 patients (20.4%). The sizes of thyroid nodules from which specimen obtained were 1.63+/-1.17 cm for adequate specimen, 1.18+/-0.72 cm for inadequate specimen respectively and differed significantly (p=0.001). When patients were divided by the size of thyroid nodules, the rates of inadequate specimen were significantly different between the groups above 1.5 cm and less than 1.5 cm (p=0.04). The rates of inadequate specimen were also different according to the indications of ultrasound guidance, 25.4% in nonpalpable thyroid nodules and 11.4% in complex cysts. When complex cyst group was divided by the size of thyroid nodules, the rates of inadequate specimen were not different. CONCLUSION: There are less benefits of ultrasound-guided FNA for patients with nodule size less than 1.5 cm. We recommend ultrasound guidance for patients with complex cyst rather than nonpalpable thyroid nodules.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Humans ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To report the progression of an astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve head as well as the retina, and the progression of retinal nerve fiber defect associated with astrocytic hamartoma in a patient with tuberous sclerosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 6-year-old boy with tuberous sclerosis and an astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve head, which was found at the time of ophthalmologie examinations, was referred from the pediatric neurologist for evaluation of the vigabatrin-associated visual field changes. Fundus examination revealed 1/2 disc diameter (DD)-sized astrocytic hamartoma located at the margin of the superior part of the optic nerve. The retina of the left eye was normal. Eighteen months after the first visit, enlarged optic disc hamartoma of the right eye and newly onset retinal astrocytic hamartoma located approximately 1.5 DD inferior to the fovea of the left eye were found. Three years later, an increase in the size of the astrocytic hamartoma of the right optic nerve and development of retinal nerve fiber defects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Astrocytic hamartoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis is usually stable without progression. However, in our patient, astrocytic hamartoma showed progression, and development of retinal nerve fiber defects occurred. Regular follow-up is necessary for astrocytic hamartoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis.
Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Nerve Fibers ; Optic Disk ; Optic Nerve ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; Visual Fields

Congenital myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominantly inherited myotonic dystrophy, rare form, with an incidence estimated to be 13/100,000 liveborns. Affected newborns can present with intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, and always exhibit generalized muscular hypotonia. Feeding problems are common and an association with protein losing enteropathy, hydrops fetalis, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn has been described. Twenty-five percent of the affected infants die within the first 18 months of life. The molecular basis is an unstable DNA fragment consisting of a variable expansion of a CTG triplet, Dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) which is localized on chromosome 19q 13.3. The severity of the disease is directly correlated to the length of the CTG sequence. Women with idiopathic polyhydroamnios, decreased fetal movement, prematurity, hypotonia, should be counselled family, and mother, father and baby should be evaluated congenital myotonic dystrophy, as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). It is possible to diagnose congenital myotonic dystrophy, by PCR, antenatal test, such as CVS, amniocentensis. We experienced a case of recurrent congenital myotonic dystrophy, with neonatal death, twice, and report with a review of related literatures.
Asphyxia ; DNA ; Fathers ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Fetal Movement ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Myotonic Dystrophy* ; Parturition ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies ; Triplets

RESULTS: The administration of ADLE to HFD-induced diabetic mice reduced the hyperplasia, 4-hydroxynonenal levels, and the number of apoptotic cells while improving the insulin levels compared to the HFD group. Treatment of INS-1 cells with palmitate reduced insulin secretion, which was attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Furthermore, the ADLE treatment prevented palmitate-induced cell death in INS-1 cells and isolated islets by reducing the apoptotic signaling molecules, including cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. ADLE also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species generation, lipid accumulation, and nitrite production in palmitate-treated INS-1 cells while increasing the ATP levels. This effect corresponded to the decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. CONCLUSIONS ADLE helps prevent lipotoxic beta-cell death in INS-1 cells and HFD-diabetic mice, suggesting that ADLE can be used to prevent or treat beta-cell damage in glucose intolerance during the development of diabetes.

RESULTS: The administration of ADLE to HFD-induced diabetic mice reduced the hyperplasia, 4-hydroxynonenal levels, and the number of apoptotic cells while improving the insulin levels compared to the HFD group. Treatment of INS-1 cells with palmitate reduced insulin secretion, which was attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Furthermore, the ADLE treatment prevented palmitate-induced cell death in INS-1 cells and isolated islets by reducing the apoptotic signaling molecules, including cleaved caspase-3 and PARP, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. ADLE also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species generation, lipid accumulation, and nitrite production in palmitate-treated INS-1 cells while increasing the ATP levels. This effect corresponded to the decreased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. CONCLUSIONS ADLE helps prevent lipotoxic beta-cell death in INS-1 cells and HFD-diabetic mice, suggesting that ADLE can be used to prevent or treat beta-cell damage in glucose intolerance during the development of diabetes.

PURPOSE: Mutations in BRCA genes are the main cause of hereditary breast cancer in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of breast cancers involving BRCA1 (BRCA1 group) and BRCA2 (BRCA2 group) mutations. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with BRCA1 (BRCA1 group) or BRCA2 (BRCA2 group) mutation positive breast cancer from multiple centers and compared the data to that of the Korean Breast Cancer Society registry (registry group). RESULTS: The patients of the BRCA1 group were diagnosed at a younger age (median age, 37 years) and had tumors of higher histological (61.3% with histological grade 3) and nuclear (37.5% with nuclear grade 3) grade than those of the registry group. In addition, the frequency of ductal carcinoma in situ in the BRCA1 group was lower (3.7%) than in the registry group, and the BRCA1 group were more likely to be triple-negative breast cancer (61.3%). Patients in the BRCA2 group were also younger at diagnosis (mean age, 41 years) and were more likely to have involvement of the axillary node than the registry group (45.5% vs. 33.5%, p=0.002). The BRCA1 and BRCA2 groups did not show a correlation between tumor size and axillary node involvement. CONCLUSION: We report the characteristics of BRCA mutation positive breast cancer patients in the Korean population through multicenter data and nation-wide breast cancer registry study. However, BRCA-mutated breast cancers appear highly complex, and further research on their molecular basis is needed in Korea.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; Diagnosis ; Genes, BRCA1 ; Genes, BRCA2 ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The iodide transport into thyroid cells is an essential step in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) which is responsible for iodide transport was cloned recently and identified as a plasma membrane glycoprotein. Recent report suggested the absence of human NIS (hNIS) mRNA expression of papillary carcinoma in thyroid indicates absence of response on radioiodine therapy for distant metastasis. To understand the change of hNIS expression at the stage of metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinomas, we evaluated the expression levels of hNIS mRNA in primary and lymph node metastatic papillary carcinoma tissues. METHODS: Seven pairs of primary and lymph node metastatic tissues were included in this study. The level of hNIS mRNA in lymph node metastatic tissues and primary tissues were evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The level of GAPDH mRNA was used as internal control. RESULTS: Two among 6 lymph node metastatic tissues did not show hNIS mRNA even with significant hNIS expressions in papillary carcinoma tissues in thyroid. The levels of hNIS expression of remaining 4 lymph node metastatic tissues were lower than those of corresponding primary tissues. Interestingly, one case showed no hNIS expression in primary tissue, but significant hNIS expression in lymph node metastatic tissue. There was no correlation in hNIS mRNA expression between primary and lymph node metastatic tissues. CONCLUSION: No correlation was found in hNIS mRNA expression between primary and lymph node metastatic tissues, suggesting the measurements of hNIS mRNA level in primary tissues may not predict therapeutic response to radioactive iodine.
Carcinoma, Papillary ; Cell Membrane ; Clone Cells ; Glycoproteins ; Humans* ; Iodine ; Ion Transport* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger* ; Sodium Iodide* ; Sodium* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyroid Neoplasms*