PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, on the basis of CT findings, of high dose methyl prednisolone for treating acute lung injury that was induced by oleic acid injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 healthy rabbits (1.8-2.2 kg) were included in this study. Group I included 10 rabbits in which 0.2 mL oleic acid was injected through their ear veins. Group IIa included 10 rabbits in which 30 mg/kg methyl prednisolone and 0.2 mL oleic acid were intravenously injected at the same time. Group IIb included 5 rabbits in which 30 mg/kg methyl prednisolone was injected 6 hours prior to the 0.2 mL oleic acid intravenous injection. The other 5 rabbits (Group III) were injected intravenously with 30 mg/kg methyl prednisolone without the oleic acid. After that, 30 mg/kg methyl prednisolone per every 12 hours was injected in the non-sacrificed rabbits of Group II and Group III. Nonenhanced Chest CT scans were performed prior to and 30 minutes, 4 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the intravenous injection of oleic acid or methyl prednisolone. We randomly sacrificed one rabbit of groups I, II and III 30 minutes, 4 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours after CT scanning. The distribution, extent, and pattern of the lesions on the CT scan were analyzed. The analyzed pattern of the lesions was ground glass attenuation, consolidation and interstitial thickening. Pathologic correlation was then done. RESULTS: The main CT findings of Group I were peripheral, wedge shaped, ill-defined ground glass attenuations and/or consolidations. The pathologic findings of Group I were interstitial or intraalveolar edema, intraalveolar hemorrhage and coagulation necrosis. Diffuse ground glass opacities with interstitial thickening were noted in 20% (n=2/10) of Group I and in 60% (n=9/15) of Group II at the 30 minute CT; however, there was no statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.09). Consolidations with air bronchogram were noted in 22.2% (2/9) of Group I and in 38.5% (5/13) of Group II at the 4 hour CT. The main pathologic findings of consolidations were intraalveolar hemorrhage and coagulation necrosis. There was no statistical difference in the extent of the lesions between Group I and Group II (p=0.20, 0.14, 0.59 and 0.46 at 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively). The CT findings of Group IIa and Group IIb were not significantly difference. The CT findings of Group III were normal in all 5 rabbits. CONCLUSION: Because there was no significant difference for the extent of lung injury induced by oleic acid between the group treated with high dose methyl prednisolone and non-treated group on CT scans, high dose steroid therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary fat embolism may not be effective in the acute stage.
Acute Lung Injury ; Ear ; Edema ; Embolism, Fat ; Glass ; Hemorrhage ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lung Injury* ; Lung* ; Necrosis ; Oleic Acid ; Prednisolone ; Rabbits* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Steroids* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Veins

The authors dissected and examined a horseshoe kidney from the cadaver of a 54-year-old Korean female. The results were as follows. Other congenital anomalies or complications were not found, and no renal stones showed on plain radiography of the horseshoe kidney. The horseshoe kidney was located in the area between the 12 th thoracic vertebra and the 4th lumbar vertebra, with the superior extremity of the left kidney 10mm more inferior than that of the right. The isthmus connecting the bilateral kidneys was located at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. The size of the kidney was 102mm × 52mm × 44mm (right) and 108mm × 62mm × 34mm (left), and the superoinferior and anteroposterior lengths of isthmus were 22mm and 10mm, respectively. The abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava passed posteriorly to the isthmus, with the inferior mesenteric artery and lumbar splanchnic nerve passing anteriorly. Some grooves were found on the anterior surface of the bilateral kidney. The hilum of the right kidney faced the anteromedial direction and that of the left kidney faced the anterolateral direction. At the hilar plane, the right renal arteries and veins passed anteriorly and posteriorly to the renal pelvis ; the left renal arteries passed posteriorly to the renal pelvis, with the left renal veins passing anteriorly and posteriorly. Three branches of the right renal arteries passed renal hilum, while two branches did not, and two branches of the left renal arteries passed renal hilum, while six branches did not. The two arteries arising from the aortic bifurcation were distributed to the isthmus. The number of renal veins passing the renal hilum were three in the right, and two in the left. The right and left ovarian veins drained to the renal veins. There were 12 minor calyces distributed normally in the right kidney, 13 minor calyces distributed radially in the left kidney, and 3 minor calyces in the isthmus, composed of parenchyme. The left portion of the horseshoe kidney was concluded to have developed poorly, on the basis of incomplete ascension and abnormal rotation during development, the imperfect configuration of the renal shape, and the abnormal distribution of the renal vessels and renal calyces.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Arteries ; Cadaver ; Extremities ; Female ; Fused Kidney* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Renal Artery ; Renal Veins ; Spine ; Splanchnic Nerves ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior

We observed 240 cases ranging in age from 3 months to 15 years seen by gastrofiberoscopy in the department of pediatrics of Seoul Red Cross Hospital from March 1990 to October 1992 and following results were obtained. 1) The male to female ratios in total cases and in 89 patients complaining of abdominal pain for more than one month were 0.94:1 and 1.02:1 respectively. The most prevalent age group was 10~12 years in both groups. 2) The indication in the order of frequency were chronic abdominal pain (37.1%), acute abdominal pain (32.5%), vomiting (7.9%), hematemesis and melena (5.4%), follow-up study (6.3%), further evaluation (3.8%), chest discomfort (2.5%), foreign body removal (2.1%), nausea (1.2%), dysphagia (0.8%) and abdominal mass (0.4%). 3) The common endoscopic findings in the 225 cases excluding follow-up ones were gastritis (34.7%), duodenitis (14.2%), ulcer (11.6%), esophagitis (7.6%) and foreign body (2.2%). 4) The common endoscopic findings in cases of chronic abdominal pain were gastritis (42.7%), duodenitis (16.9%) and ulcer (7.9%). 5) There was no complication except mild sore throat.
Abdominal Pain ; Deglutition Disorders ; Duodenitis ; Esophagitis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Gastritis ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Male ; Melena ; Nausea ; Pediatrics ; Pharyngitis ; Red Cross ; Seoul ; Thorax ; Ulcer ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine, an oral nucleoside analogue, effectively inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and reduces hepatic necroinflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study investigated the effect and safety of 12 week lamivudine therapy in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: In an open clinical trial, 113 patients with CHB were enrolled. They received 100 mg of lamivudine orally once daily for 12 weeks, and they were followed until 2 weeks after cessation of lamivudine. HBV DNA (by bDNA assay), liver enzymes, creatine phosphokinase, creatinine and CBC were checked at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 14 weeks. Compliance and side effects were evaluated at the same time. RESULTS: After receiving lamivudine 100 mg, serum HBV DNA levels fell rapidly, remaining in 94.3% below baseline values at 2 weeks and 99.8% below baseline values at 12 weeks. Serum HBV DNA was cleared in 75.2% and alanine aminotransferase level (ALT) was normalized in 64.8% at 12 weeks. Cumulative percentage of HBeAg clearance (defined by clearance of serum HBV DNA and HBeAg) was 14.4%. Clearance of HBV DNA was more frequent in patients with lower pretreatment serum HBV DNA and higher ALT. During the treatment periods, adverse effects were negligible and transient. Two weeks after cessation of lamivudine, serum HBV DNA reappeared in 70.6% of responders. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that lamivudine is effective and safe in the treatment of CHB in Korean patients, but further study for adequate duration of treatment is needed because of high recurrence after 12 weeks therapy.
Alanine Transaminase ; Compliance ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; DNA ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Lamivudine* ; Liver ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Hypopituitarism* ; Hypothyroidism*

No abstract available.
Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Erythrocyte Membrane* ; Erythrocytes* ; Hydroxyl Radical* ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Macrophages, Alveolar* ; Mineral Fibers*

We report a case of elephantiasis neurofibromatosa in a 50-year-old female patient treated by in walking excision. She had difficulty in walking due to a huge mass on the abdomen. After surgical excision, she is leading a normal life and is very satisfied.
Abdomen ; Elephantiasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Walking

OBJECTIVES: Cases of psychiatric disorders are reported with a review of literature on mental health problems in North Korean defectors in South Korea. METHODS: Four patients who were admitted to a psychiatric hospital with major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, or mixed disorder of conduct and emotions of adolescent were studied. RESULTS: The most common precipitating factor was the separation from close persons they had been dependent on. Defector-specific stress included unfamiliar culture of South Korea, lack of ability to adapt to South Korean society, uselessness of past education and professional skills, stress with regard to being identified or discriminated as a North Korean defector, and guilt feeling for leaving their family behind in North Korea. North Korean defector-specific clinical findings were noted; these included reluctance to expose themselves as North Koreans, negative emotional reaction to discrimination of South Korean neighbors, submissive and passive attitude, loneliness, anxiety for the future related to refugee status, and strong stigma related to psychiatry. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that an individualized or tailored treatment that considers their unique psychosocial situation, which especially focuses on discrimination and social support, is needed for North Korean defectors with mental disorders.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Bipolar Disorder ; Conduct Disorder ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Depression ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Guilt ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Loneliness ; Mental Disorders ; Mental Health ; Mood Disorders ; Precipitating Factors ; Refugees ; Republic of Korea ; Schizophrenia

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in CT findings according to sputum smear- positive or -negative results in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis having a single cavity. Methods: A total of 32 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis having a single cavity on CT were classified into two groups: smear-positive (n=19) and smear-negative (n=13). The CT findings were reviewed retrospectively. The presence of consolidation, the number of lobes showing consolidation, ground-glass opacity, micronodules and nodule, the maximum diameter of the cavity, and the shape and maximum thickness of the cavity wall were assessed. Result: The maximum diameter of the cavity was 33.84 +/- 13.65 mm and 27.08 +/- 9.04 mm in the smear-positive and -negative groups, respectively (p>0.05). The amount of consolidation and the number of lobes with consolidation were found to be 89.5% and 30.8% (p=0.01) and 1.37 +/- 0.90 and 0.31 +/- 0.48 (p=0.0002) in the smear-positive and -negative groups, respectively. Consolidations in two or more lobes were only noted in 31.6% of in the sputum smear- positive group (p< 0.05). There were no other significant differences between the two groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the presence of consolidation were 89.5%, 69.2%, 73.9%, and 81.8%, respectively. Conclusion: While the absence of consolidation on CT may be associated with sputum smear-negative results in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis having a single cavity, the presence of consolidation in two or more lobes on CT may be associated with spear-positive results in these patients.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sputum* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*