No abstract available.
Nephrolithiasis* ; Uric Acid*

Glomus tumor arises from the subcutaneous glomus body, which is an arteriovenous anastomosis involved in the regulation of cutaneous blood circulation and are widely distributed in the body, especially the hand. Twelve patients (male 3, female 9) with glomus tumors of the hand, who were operated from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1994 were selected. The lesions were distributed in the distal phalanges of the thumb (6 cases), the index (3 cases), the ring finger (2 cases) and the little finger (1 case). All patients had the classic triad of symtoms: pain, tenderness and temperature sensitivity. Palpable mass (4 cases) and bluish purple discoloration in the skin (6 cases) were also presented. They had no trauma history and on the roentgenography, bone change detected in 2 cases. A simple excision with partial nail extraction was done in all cases. The symtoms were disappeared in all cases and no recurrence was found. For a complete cure, meticulous complete excision is the only recommended treatment.
Arteriovenous Anastomosis ; Blood Circulation ; Female ; Fingers ; Glomus Tumor* ; Hand* ; Humans ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Thumb

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Skin* ; Tuberculin Test* ; Tuberculin*

SUMMARY: The present study was carried out to evaluate whether the coculture system of human embryos with Vero cells can improve the quality of embryo or overcome the repetitive implantation failures in order to obtain pregnancy. From January to December 1996, a total 202 cases which patients with the problems of repetitive implantation failures (group I) or those with the poor embryonic quality in their previous cycles (group II) was analysed. The quality of cocultured embryo, pregnancy, on-going and implantation rates between coculture and control groups were compared. Of 93 cases in group I, coculture was performed in 34 cases and conventional IVF for the rest. Of 109 cases in group II, 36 for coculture and 73 for conventional IVF. In group I, pregnancy, on-going and implantation rates in coculture group (14/34 (41.2%), 9/34 (26.5%), 16/81 (19.8%), respectively) were higher than those of control (11/59 (18.6%), 8/59 (13.6%), 12/152 (7.9%), respectively). There is significance in the pregnancy and implantation rates (p=0.028 and p=0.015). In group II, pregnancy, on-going and implantation rates in coculture group (8/36 (22.2%), 5/36 (13.9%), 8/87 (9.2%), respectively) were higher than those of control (5/73 (6.8%), 3/73 (4.1%), 3/158 (1.9%), respectively). Like the result of group 1, there is significance in the pregnancy and implantation rates (p=0.028 and p=0.022). Coculture system with Vero cells works well in the groups of the two indications. Although the case of 3 day-coculture was small as 15 cases in group II, 3 day-coculture improved pregnancy rate (4/15 (26.7%)). Therefore, 3 day-coculture with assisted hatching is recommended to the patients with poor embryonic quality. In conclusion, coculture system with Vero cells can be suggested as an effective method which improves pregnancy rate in those who have repetitive implantation failures or whose embryonic quality was poor in their previous cycles.
Coculture Techniques* ; Embryonic Structures ; Humans ; Humans* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prognosis* ; Vero Cells

No abstract available.
Abortion, Habitual* ; Female ; Immunization* ; Lymphocytes* ; Pregnancy

Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic agent useful in a variety of clinical conditions. This study is based on acid-base and electrolyte changes seen after the intravenous infusion of hypertonic mannitol for the prevention of cerebral edema. The study subjects were divided into 3 groups: for group A, an amount of 300-900 mL 15% mannitol was intravenously infused over the period of 60 to 90 minutes; for group B, 1,200-2,600 mL over 12 to 24 hours; and for group C, 3,200-4,900 mL over more than 24 hours. In group A, blood pH is increased from 7.43+/-0.07 to 7.46+/-0.04, and plasma HCO3- from 25.3+/-2.1 to 28.9+/-2.9 mEq/L, but plasma K+ is decreased from 4.3+/-0.6 to 3.7+/-0.8 mEq/L. In group B, blood pH is increased from 7.42+/-0.02 to 7.47+/-0.06, and plasma HCO3- from 25.2+/-1.8 to 29.1+/-2.9 mEq/L, but plasma K+ is decreased from 4.2+/-0.3 to 3.8+/-0.5 mEq/L. In group C, blood pH is increased from 7.41+/-0.01 to 7.52+/-0.04, and plasma HCO3- from 24.9+/-1.2 to 27.7+/-2.5 mEq/L, but plasma K+ is decreased from 4.2+/-0.1 to 3.9+/-0.2 mEq/L. These results showed that intravenous infusion of mannitol could induce metabolic alkalosis and hypokalemia, regardless of its dose. The mannitol induced metabolic alkalosis may be due to increased renal HCO3- production.
Alkalosis* ; Brain Edema ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypokalemia ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Mannitol ; Plasma

BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung are relatively high. We tried to identify the prognostic factors affecting postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung through a retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The retrospective study was undertaken in 112 patients who had undergone pneumonectomy or pleuropneumonectomy for destroyed lung at Severance Hospital from 1970 to 2000. We analyzed the correlation between postoperative morbidity and mortality and etiology, duration of disease, preoperative FEV1, presence or absence of preoperative empyema, operation timing, the side of operation, duration of operation, and operation type. RESULT: There were 55 men and 57 women, aged 20 to 81 years (mean 44 years). Etiologic diseases were tuberculosis in 86 patients(76.8%) including tuberculous empyema in 20 and tuberculous bronchiectasis in 4, pyogenic empyema in 12(10.7%), bronchiectasis in 12(10.7%), and lung abscess in 2(1.8%). Postoperative morbidity were 25%(n=28) and postoperative mortality was 6%(n=7). The presence of preoperative of empyema(p=0.016), pleuropneumonectomy(p=0.037) and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L(P=0.048) significantly increased the postoperative morbidity. If operation time was less than 300min, postoperative morbidity(p=0.002) and mortality(p=0.03) were significantly low. CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung were acceptable. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly low when operation time was less than 300 min. Preoperative existence of empyema, pleuropneumonectomy and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L significantly increased postoperative morbidity.
Bronchiectasis ; Empyema ; Empyema, Tuberculous ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Abscess ; Lung* ; Male ; Mortality* ; Pneumonectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

After pantethine in doses of 540 mg per day was administered for 8 weeks in 20 patients with hyperlipidemia, the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were compared with the pretreatment level. The serum level of total cholesterol decreased to 240+/-52 mg%[mean+/-standard deviation] after 4 weeks and 223+/-41 mg% after 8 weeks from the pretreatment level of 293+/-38 mg%(p<0.01). The serum triglyceride level also decreased to 254+/-109 mg% after 4 weeks and 239+/-114 mg% after 8 weeks from the pretreatment level of 375+/-126 mg%(p<0.01). But, there was no significant change in the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol before and after treatment (56+/-27 mg% beforAfter pantethine in doses of 540 mg per day was administered for 8 weeks in 20 patients with hyperlipidemia, the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were compared with the pretreatment level. The serum level of total cholesterol decreased to 240+/-52 mg%[mean+/-standard deviation] after 4 weeks and 223+/-41 mg% after 8 weeks from the pretreatment level of 293+/-38 mg%(p<0.01). The serum triglyceride level also decreased to 254+/-109 mg% after 4 weeks and 239+/-114 mg% after 8 weeks from the pretreatment level of 375+/-126 mg%(p<0.01). But, there was no significant change in the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol before and after treatment (56+/-27 mg% before treatment, 56+/-18 mg% after 4 weeks and 59+/-22 mg% after 8 weeks). Pantethine was well tolerated in most patients.
Cholesterol ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: The incidence of infectious disease, which has been the cause of death in pediatric period, was decreased. But, the opportunistic exposure to toxic substance shows a tendency to increase. We performed this study in order to find out preventive measures and the latest inclination of acute poisoning in childhood. METHODS: From January 1985 to July 1996, 88 children with acute drug and chemical poisoning, who diagnosed at Presbyterian Medical Center, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: 1) It occurred more frequently in male than female (1.7:1) and high incidence was noted in 0-4 year-old age group (75%). 2) Annual distribution of poisoning shows a tendency to increased. 3) There was no significant seasonal difference in frequency of poisoning. 4) The vast majority (85%) of poison exposure were accidental and therapeutic intent was present in 7.5% of cases and suicidal intent was 7.5% of cases. 5) We noticed an hourly predominance with most accidents occurring from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 35% respectively. 6) Categories with the largest numbers of total exposure, in descending order by exposure frequently, include the following : drug (30.1%), insecticide (20.4), rodenticide (12.9%), glacial acetic acid (13.9%), herbicide (4.3%), Carbon monoxide (3.2%), others (13%). So, food and household material are leading cause of poisoning, except drug. Of drug, DDS was the most common and then psychotherapeutic drugs were the next. 7) The chief complaints on admission were nausea and vomiting (32%), mental change (26%) irritability (9%), peripheral cyanosis (8%), seizure (5%), and in case of 20%, the patient were found incidentally without symptoms. 8) There were complications which were pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, esophageal stricture and pneumothorax. And death occurred in 4 cases, due to insecticide (2 cases), herbicide and rodenticide, 1 case respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In previous report in Korea, causative substance of poisoning were drug, carbone monoxide, insecticide, rodenticide in descending order. In our study, drug was the most common cause of poisoning. But it' s proportion was decreased compared with previous report, and carbone monoxide intoxication was markedly decreased. But, we noticed that the proportion of household material, such as glacial acetic acid and other household chemical, was increased. So, we should be pay more attention to poisoning and try to prevent them.
Acetic Acid ; Carbon ; Carbon Monoxide ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Communicable Diseases ; Cyanosis ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Nausea ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax ; Poisoning* ; Protestantism ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Seizures ; Statistics as Topic* ; Vomiting