Several observation suggest that the antimelanocyte autoantibodies could play a role in melanocyte destruction. Some experiments indicate that melanocyte antibodies from patients with vitiligo can kill melanocyte in vitro. In these experiments, we demonstrated that vitiligo patient's sera containing antimelanocyte antibodies can lyse cultured human melanocytes by complement activation. Melanocyte cytotoxicity was measured using the ethidium bromide/ acridine orange viability assay. Significant melanocyte cytotoxicity was seen in sera from patients with both active and inactive vitiligo(p<0.01). Melanocyte cytotoxicity measured with complement-mediated cytotoxicity decreased after systemic steroid treatment(p<0.05) ; however melanocyte cytotoxicity showed no significant change with systemic PUVA therapy.
Acridine Orange ; Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Complement Activation ; Ethidium ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; PUVA Therapy ; Vitiligo*

OBJECTIVE: The study of 467 cases of amniocentesis have been done at the department of Genetics, Taegu Cheil Hospital from Oct. 1997 to May 1999 for the purpose of analysis of abnormal karyotype according to the indication and age distribution, METHODS: We collected amniotic fluid using 22G spinal needle and measured amniotic alphafetoprotein and acetylcholine esterase in supematant and performed cytogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Positive Down screeing(positive triple test) was the most common indication of amniocentesis (61.5%) and abnormal karyotypes were 24 cases(5.1%) in 467 cases. Among 24 abnormal cases, 10 cases(2.1%) of 21 trisomy were observed. Abnormal karyotypes were most common in the group of abnormal ultrasonogram finding and the gmup of maternal age between 31 to 35 years old, which consists of 25% and 7.7% respectively. CONCLUSION: More attention for the abnormal karyotype should be paid to the group of abnormal ultrasonogram finding and the group of maternal age between 31 to 35 years old as well as above 35 years old.
Abnormal Karyotype ; Acetylcholine ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Amniocentesis ; Amniotic Fluid ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Daegu ; Female ; Genetics ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Maternal Age ; Needles ; Trisomy ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are caloric test, SCEP, DP in Step velocity and VOR asymmetry in SHA test as parameters for evaluation in unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy in parameter of vestibular function test. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between these parameters and intensity of spontaneous nystagmus in vestibular neuritis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We evaluated 75 patients who were diagnosed as vestibular neuritis with 3 degree spontaneous nystagmus at vestibular function test lab from January 2000 to July 2005 in Dankook university hospital. The correlations between direction and intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and monothermal caloric test, SCEP and DP in step velocity, VOR asymmetry (0.01, 0.04, 0.16 Hz) in SHA test were analysed. And correlations according to sex, age were also analysed. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and monothermal caloric test was 0.60. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and SCEP was 0.35. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and Tc DP was 0.36 and it showed no significant correlation. The correlation coefficient between intensity of spontaneous nystagmus and VOR asymmetry (0.01, 0.04, 0.16) was 0.57, 0.46, 0.51, respectively and there was higher correlation in man, age under 60. CONCLUSION: Intensity of spontaneous nystagmus showed close relations to monothermal caloric test, VOR asymmetry of SHA, Tc DP, SCEP DP in sequence. In addition, young male patients tends to be closely related to intensity of spontaneous nystagmus.
Caloric Tests ; Humans ; Male ; Vestibular Function Tests* ; Vestibular Neuronitis*

From January 1988 to December 1991, 39 fractures of the lateral condyle of humerus in children were treated at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sung-Ac General Hospital. It was possible to follow up from one year to four years and eleven months. The authors have analyzed the method of treatment on the basis of the degree of displacement in the change of Carrying angle and Baumann's angle. The results were as follows; 1. Of the 39 cases, the age incidence was confined to 2 to 12 years of age and the average age of the patients were 5 years. 2. Most fractures were Milch type II (29 cases) in contrast to Milch type I (10 cases). 3. According to the initial displacement of the fracture, 8 cases were Jokob's stage I, 21 cases of stage II & 10 cases of stage III. 4. There were no significant difference in the range of change of Carrying angle and Baumann's angle according to initial displacement of fracture site. However, significant difference in outcome were noticed from open reduction and internal fixation in comparison to closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. 5. In all 39 cases, lateral condylar overgrowth (10 cases), cubitus varus (1 cases) and cubitus valgus (3 cases) were noticed as complications but clinical significance was not noted. 6. The above results suggest that internal fixation is recommended for firm fixation although displacement is not severe. In case of Jakob's stage III, anatomical reduction is required in order to reduce additional damage on articular surface and epiphyseal plate caused by excessive manipulation.
Child ; Clinical Study ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Plate ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Humerus ; Incidence ; Methods

Congenital fibrosarcoma of neonate is a very rare malignant tumor prone to behave aggressively with a tendency to local recurrence without metastasis. It is characteristically composed of collagenous fibroblasts and herringbone pattern in histology. We experienced a case of congenital fibrosarcoma on the left thigh and report this case with some review in literature with 1½ year follow up.
Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Fibrosarcoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Thigh

First-rib fractures may be caused due to high energy direct trauma, violent muscle contracture, or chronic fatigue. Isolated fractures are very rarely noted and may be a potential cause of nonspecific shoulder pain in overhead athletes. Although the exact mechanism underlying first-rib fractures caused by sudden muscular contracture is still not known, many repetitive activities have been associated with with these unique fractures. We present a case of an acute first-rib fracture in a rookie professional baseball pitcher. He returned to the same level of throwing in 5 months with rest and rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic characteristics and clinical results after surgical repair of traumatic superimposed posterior rotator cuff tear in the setting of preexisting retracted supraspinatus tendon tear.METHODS: A total of 20 patients (mean age, 62.1 years) were included and all patients had significant traumatic events mean 3.7 weeks prior to the surgery. Preoperative acromiohumeral distance (AHD, mean 3.2 mm) and arthritis change were analyzed on plain radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated for the nature and extent of torn tendon, and fatty degeneration (FD) of all cuff muscles to validate if the tears were traumatic or chronic.RESULTS: Complete repairs were achieved in 15 patients and partial repair including posterior cuff in five. Functional and radiographic results were statistically evaluated and repair integrities were assessed with ultrasound at average 17.3 months. Overall functional outcome scores were significantly improved and 17 patients (85%) were satisfied with their symptoms. AHD was significantly recovered (mean, 6.7 mm), but two patients showed progression of arthritic change. Retears after the complete repair were three patients (20%), who showed poor outcome, with advanced preoperative FD of posterior cuff muscles. Five patients with partial repair of posterior cuff revealed improved functional score with no sign of retear of posterior cuff on ultrasound.CONCLUSION: Early recognition of traumatic superimposed posterior cuff tears and surgical repair can reliably restore shoulder function, and partial repair of posterior cuff also can be expected favorable outcomes in supraspinatus tear with advanced FD.
Arthritis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Tears ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are characterized by the absence of clinical and biochemical evidence of pituitary hormone hypersecretion, and these tumors constitute approximately one third of all the tumors of the anterior pituitary. Recently, hormonal deficiencies have gradually evolved to become the leading presenting signs and symptoms in patients with NFPAs. We investigated pituitary hormonal insufficiencies according to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with NFPA. METHODS: We evaluated the patients who were newly diagnosed with NFPA from 1997 through 2009. Among them, we analyzed 387 patients who were tested for their combined pituitary function and who underwent MRI. The severity of the hypopituitarism was determined by the number of deficient axes of the pituitary hormones. On the MRI study, the maximal diameter of the tumor, Hardy's classification, the thickness of the pituitary gland and the presence of stalk compression were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.85 +/- 12.93 years (range: 15-86) and 186 patients (48.1%) were male. As assessed on MRI, the tumor diameter was 27.87 +/- 9.93 mm, the thickness of the normal pituitary gland was 1.42 +/- 2.07 mm and stalk compression was observed in 201 patients (51.9%). Hypopituitarism was observed in 333 patients (86.0%). Deficiency for each pituitary hormone was most severe in the patients with Hardy type IIIA. Hypopituitarism was severe in the older age patients (P = 0.001) and the patients with a bigger tumor size (P < 0.001) and the presence of stalk compression (P < 0.001). However, the patients who had a thicker pituitary gland showed less severe hypopituitarism (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, tumor diameter and the thickness of pituitary gland were important determinants for pituitary deficiency (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, P = 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the hormonal deficiencies in patient with NFPA were correlated with the MRI findings, and especially the tumor diameter and preservation of the pituitary gland.
Humans ; Hypopituitarism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Magnetics ; Magnets ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pituitary Gland ; Pituitary Hormones ; Pituitary Neoplasms

The Bentall-DeBono operation is the technique of choice for aortic root replacement. When the patients have contraindications for lifelong anticoagulation, the biologic Bentall operation may be a good option. However, complex reoperation may be required when bioprosthetic degeneration occurs. For this reason, a new technique for simple reoperation after the Bentall operation has recently been performed by some surgeons. We performed a similar technique in two patients with aortic root dilation and for whom aortic valve sparing techniques could not be performed because of an unrepairable valve contour, we think this modification seems to be simple and reproducible for reoperation.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Bioprosthesis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; Reoperation

No abstract available.
Arthritis* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn*