BACKGROUND: There is pressure difference depending on the height of hand position when blood pressure is taken, applying the oscillometric electronic digital BP(blood pressure) monitor. Authors have calculated the degree of BP differences, and evaluated the accuracy and effectiveness of the digital BP monitor comparing with the conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. METHOD: Randomized sixty cases consisting of in-patients and hospital workers were subjected for this study. BPs were taken at three different levels-nose level, heart level and knee level-on conventional sitting position applying OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer, and statistical analysis was made. RESULTS: At the nose level, systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower with 23.5mmHg and 18.9mmHg respectively, than at the heart level, while at the knee level, they were higher with 21mmHg and 17.5mmHg respectively, than at the heart level. No actual statistical difference of systolic and diastolic values between OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitoring method at the heart level and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometeric method. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrated significant discrepancy of BP values, in systolic and diastolic values, depending on the height of measured finger, when OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor is applied in taking BP on conventional sitting position. However, no actual discrepancy of BP values was noted between two methods when BP is taken at heart level by OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and on brachial artery BP by conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. Thus OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor could take the place of Mercury Sphygmomanometer in taking peripheral BP, which subsequently enable us to estimate central artery BP, which is believed to be better clinical index, through this much more handy electrical oscillometric device in the future.
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Brachial Artery ; Electric Impedance ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Heart ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Knee ; Nose ; Sphygmomanometers*

To evaluate the clinical utility of Tc-99m MIBI scan in the detection of residual thyroid tissue or metastatic lesion in postoperative thyroid cancer patients, we compared Tc-99m MIBI scan with I-131 diagnostic and therapeutic scan in 30 postoperative well-differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Thyroglobulin levels of both on and off thyroid hormone medication and antithyroglobulin antibody were tested [Tg(on), Tg(off)l Positive rates for I-131 diagnostic and Tc-99m MIBI scan were 81% and 68% respectively. Concordance between I-131 diagnostic and Tc-99m MIBI scan was observed in 15 cases; 12 positive and 3 negative respectively Among the 6 cases with negative I-131 diagnostic scan and positive Tc-99m MIBI scan, 4 were positive in the therapeutic I-131 scan. We concluded that Tc-99m MIBI scan maybe a useful complementary modality to the currently established method of I131 scan and serum thyroglobulin level in the detection of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer, especially in the case of negative I-131 diagnostic scan.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

No abstract available.

Enteroenteric anastomotic strictures of UGI tract are common and require treatment if significant obstruction occurs. We performed fluoroscopic guided balloon dilatation in 6 patients who had symptomatic stricture of gastrojejunostomy. The stricture was successfully resolved in 4 patients with benign stricture. But 2 patients with malignant stricture had recurrence of obstructive symptom 2 weeks later, and they required a stent. Asymptomatic balloon rupture was seen in one patient, but other procedural complications did not occur. We found that fluoroscopic guided balloon dilatation is an effective and safe method in the treatment of anastomotic stricture of gastrojejunostomy. We also found transient effect in malignant gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures, which required an interventional procedure, such as placement of a stent.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Gastric Bypass* ; Humans ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Stents

Enteroenteric anastomotic strictures of UGI tract are common and require treatment if significant obstruction occurs. We performed fluoroscopic guided balloon dilatation in 6 patients who had symptomatic stricture of gastrojejunostomy. The stricture was successfully resolved in 4 patients with benign stricture. But 2 patients with malignant stricture had recurrence of obstructive symptom 2 weeks later, and they required a stent. Asymptomatic balloon rupture was seen in one patient, but other procedural complications did not occur. We found that fluoroscopic guided balloon dilatation is an effective and safe method in the treatment of anastomotic stricture of gastrojejunostomy. We also found transient effect in malignant gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures, which required an interventional procedure, such as placement of a stent.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Gastric Bypass* ; Humans ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Rupture ; Stents

A survey of intestinal parasites infection among Korean people has been carried out during July 1969 to December 1970. A total of 2,250 stool specimens (male 1,101, female 1,146) was collected from all the provinces and Seoul city in Korea. The specimens were examined routinely by direct fecal smear, zinc sulfate flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. The results are summarized as follows: Of 2,250 specimens examined, l,803(80.l per cent) were positive for intestinal parasites. The positive rates of intestinal helminths were 1,644(73.1 per cent) among 2,250; Ascaris lumbricoides 46.0 per cent, Trichocephalus trichiurus 46.8 percent, hookworm 6.8 per cent, Trichostrongylus orientalis 7.0 percent, Clonorchis sinensis 12.1 percent, Enterobius vermicularis 1.6 per cent, Hymenolepis nana 0.7 percent, Taenia species 0.3 per cent, Metagonimus yokogawai 0.04 percent, Fasciolidae 0.04 per cent and one case of lung fluke Paragonimu westermani. The positive rstes of intestinal protozoa were 786(34.9 per cent); Entamoeba histolytica 6.4 per cent, Entamoeba coli 20.5 percent, Endolimax nana 10.0 per cent, Giardia lamblia 5.1 per cent, Trichomonas hominis 1.1 percent, Chilomastix mesnili 0.5 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.6 percent, Enteromonas hominis 0.7 percent, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.1 per cent and one case of Isospora hominis. Sexual distribution of helminths and protozoan infections showed higher rate in female than that of male, except C. sinensis, H. nana, Taenia species or G. lamblia Infections of T. trichiurus, hookworm, T. orientalis, C. sinensis, Taenia species, E. histolytica, E. coli and E. nana increased with age. Conversely, H. nana and G. lamblia infections were more predominent in younger ages.
parasitology-helminth-protozoa-trematoda-nematoda-cestoda ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Trichocephalus trichiurus-Trichuris trichiura ; hookworm ; Trichostrongylus orientalis ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Enterobius vermicularis ; Hymenolepis nana ; Taenia species ; lamblia ; Trichomonas hominis ; Chilomastix mesnili ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Enteromonas hominis ; Dientamoeba fragilis ; Isospora hominis ; epidemiology ; stool examination

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare rheumatologic disorder most commonly presenting as recurring episodes of inflammation in cartilaginous tissues. Auricular chondritis with red ears resembling cellulitisis the most common clinical manifestation. Other manifestations include arthritis, nasal chondritis, and ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular disease. Here we report the case of a 54-year-old female patient with relapsing polychondritis and associated scleritis. On histologic examination, the auricle, including cartilaginous tissues, showed loss of the normal basophilia of cartilage and perichondrial infiltration of inflammatory cells. The patient was treated with systemic steroids. Symptoms in both auricles were reduced, scleritis developed, and ocular symptoms were waning.
Arthritis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cartilage ; Ear ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged ; Polychondritis, Relapsing ; Scleritis ; Steroids

Cryptococcosis commonly affects patients with immune dysfunction, as in the case of immunosuppression in organ transplant patients or as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in patients afflicted with human immunodeficiency virus. The varied appearance of cryptococcal skin lesion makes clinical diagnosis of cutaneous cryptococcosis difficult. Cryptococcosis proves to be a fatal fungal infection in the immunocompromised patient. Therefore, diagnosis and early treatment of cryptococcosis become vital. A 56-year-old renal transplant recipient, with an ongoing immunosuppression regimen of cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil, was admitted with a 2-week history of pain and edema of right arm without respiratory symptoms. Despite empiric antibiotic therapy, the patient continued to complain of severe tenderness of the involved arm and fever persisted as well. On the third day of hospital stay, a biopsy of the erythematous skin lesion was acquired. On the eighth day of hospital stay, results of both skin biopsy and blood cultures showed the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans. The treatment was begun with intravenous fluconazole (400 mg/day). After 4 days of antifungal treatment, the patient developed fever along with cough with purulent sputum. As the new developing symptoms were suggestive of pneumonia, especially of pulmonary cryptococcosis, the antifungal agent was changed from fluconazole to amphotericin B treatment (0.8 mg/kg, 50 mg/day). Chest computer tomography showed improvement in the pneumonic infiltration and consolidation after 4 weeks of amphotericin B treatment. In conclusion, cellulitis in immunocompromised patients should be suspected in case of highly atypical infectious etiology, and skin biopsy should not be delayed if empiric antibiotic therapy does not control the inflammatory response. Additionally, the patient should be treated with intravenous amphotericin B treatment in case of severe cryptococcosis.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Amphotericin B ; Arm ; Biopsy ; Cellulitis ; Cough ; Cryptococcosis ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Cyclosporine ; Edema ; Fever ; Fluconazole ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation ; Length of Stay ; Middle Aged ; Mycophenolic Acid ; Pneumonia ; Prednisolone ; Skin ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Transplants