Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is widely used in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Its common complications are right upper quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and rare complications include focal pancreatic necrosis, gastric ulcer, renal failure, DIC, biliary tree necrosis and splenic infarction and so on. It has been reported that hepatobronchial fistula could develop as a pleuropulmonary complication of liver abscess. We report a case of hepatobronchial fistula caused by complicating liver abscess in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who was treated with TAE.
Biliary Tract ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Dacarbazine ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Nausea ; Necrosis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Splenic Infarction ; Stomach Ulcer ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to define the prognostic factors of papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid (PMCT), to analyse their histopathologic and epidemiologic characteristics and to investigate the optimal therapeutic management. METHODS: Our series included 254 consecutive patents who were affected by PMCT and who were operated on by the same surgeon between 1985 and 2002 among a total of 3,100 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. All the surgical specimens were examined in the same Department of Pathology. The prognostic factors were evaluated by uniand multivariate statistical analyses. RESULTS: The histopathologic characteristics such as vascular extension, infiltration into the adjacent parenchyma, a larger primary tumor (size ≥5 mm) or tumor in the thyroid capsule were all indicative of a poor prognosis. For the patents with poor prognostic factors and who were treated by partial thyroidectomy alone, the prevalence of recurrent disease was higher than that for the patients who were with treated by total thyroidectomy and 131 iodine administration. CONCLUSION: According to the prognostic factors, different therapeutic modalities could be proposed to treat patients with pillary thyroid microcarcinoma. It is reasonable to perform total thyroidectomy and 131 iodine therapy for patients with PMCT and who have high risk factors.
Humans ; Iodine ; Pathology ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroidectomy

PURPOSE: Trauma is the 5th most common leading cause of death in Korea, but there has been no appropriate management system for patients until now. We analyzed the main causes of death in trauma patients by comparing the characteristics of those patients with the characteristics of patients who survived. We feel this analysis should have a positive effect on the development of an appropriate trauma management system in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed trauma patients who had been admitted to the Department of General Surgery from February 2002 to February 2007. We compared several expected risk factors between the mortality and the survival group. Data on the transportation, arrival time at the emergency center, amount of transfusion, initial shock index, cause of death, and initial physical condition according to RTS (Revised trauma score), ISS (Injury severity score) and TRISS (Trauma and Injury Severity Score) were collected. Patients with ISS lower than 12 were excluded. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-six(366) patients with multiple injuries were included. There were 40 patients in the mortality group and 326 patients in the survival group. The mean arrival time (minutes) to emergency center was longer in the mortality group (137.6 vs 93.6 p 0.04). The total amount of transfusion (ml) was larger in the mortality group (7139 vs 2470 p 0.01). The initial shock index was higher in the mortality group (1.45 vs 1.17 p<0.01). The RTS, ISS, and TRISS were not statistically different between the groups. In the multivariate analysis, mean arrival time and initial shock index were important factors for survival. CONCLUSION: If the mortality rate of trauma patients is to be reduced , the arrival time at the emergency center should be minimized. Improvement of the emergency medical transfer service system is very important for achieving that.
Cause of Death ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Multiple Trauma ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Shock ; Transportation

Methotrexate (MTX) has been widely used in the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. But prolonged use of MTX can induce hepatic fibrosis and even cirrhosis. To date, in Korea, there have been very few reports on hepatotoxicity due to MTX, and no report on biopsy-proven chronic active hapatitis. We report one patient who developed chronic acitve hepatitis while taking long-term daily dose of MTX(10mg per day) for psoriasis for a prolonged period.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Korea ; Methotrexate* ; Psoriasis*

Light andelectron microscopic findings of Fuchs`dystrophy were examined in a corneal button obtained following a penetrating keratoplasty. In light microscopic study, an avascular connective tissue was observed between the epithelial basement membrane and Bowman`s layer. Fibroblast-like cells scattered on the denuded surface of the Descemet`s membrane were found in a flat-mounted specimen examined after alizarine red and tryphan blue staining. A slightly thickened Descemet`s membrane covered with the disorganized endothelium was observed in a electron microscopy. Swollen organelles and vacuoles in the cytoplasm were found as an internal structure of the endothelium.
Basement Membrane ; Connective Tissue ; Cytoplasm ; Endothelium ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron ; Organelles ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: Markedly reduced urine have been commonly observed during mastoidectomy under general anesthesia. The aim of study was to evaluate the surgery-related mechanism of reduced urine during mastoidectomy. METHODS: 11 patients undergoing mastoidectomy were studied. Blood samples were drawn from CVP line inserted through right internal jugular vein just before drilling (Pre-D); at 15 min after drilling (D-15); at the time closest to the inner ear (CHP-1); at 15 min (CHP-2) and 30 min (CHP-3) after CHP-1 and just before emergence (End). MAP, HR, temperature, CVP, and urine output (UO) were recorded at each period. 0.9% normal saline with room temperature was used to irrigate surgical field. Serum ADH, and the osmolalities (serum and urine) were measured. In 6 patients, serum TSH and FSH were measured, simultaneously. RESULTS: There were no significant hemodynamic changes during procedure. UO was decreased in 50% during and after the drilling. No differences showed in UO between before and after the drilling of CHP. Plasma ADH level after the CHP was increased 2-3 fold than before. Serum osmolality was unchanged throughout the periods, while the urine osmolality was significantly increased after the period of CHP. FSH was not changed during the periods and TSH was decreased slightly than in Pre-D. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced urine output during mastoidectomy may be influenced by the drilling-related vibration, which may affect the supraoptico-hypophyseal tract, resulting in ADH release. The irrigated isotonic saline with higher osmolality (308 mOsm/kgH2O) than plasma osmolality may partly contributed to the increased ADH.
Anesthesia, General* ; Ear, Inner ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Osmolar Concentration ; Plasma ; Vibration

PURPOSE: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication compared with the other complications following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. We evaluated the incidence of transient and permanent hypocalcemia and the preservation status of the parathyroid glands following total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 145 cases of total thyroidectomy due to thyroid carcinoma. The preservation status of the prarathyroid glands after total thyroidectomy was classified as intact preservation or ischemic change, according to the number of intact preserved parathyroid glands in group 1 (more than 2), group 2 (1) or group 3 (0). RESULTS: Permanent hypocalcemia was not found in group 1. The rate of transient or permanent hypocalcemia was significantly lower in group 2 than that in group 3 (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The parathyroid glands should be preserved to minimize the occurrence of hypocalemia after performing total thyroidectomy. The number of intact preserved parathyroid glands can be a good indicator for predicting the occurrence of post-total thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.
Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Incidence ; Parathyroid Glands ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy*

PURPOSE: Mangled injury is defined as severe injury, including three or more tissues such as bones, nerves, vessels, muscles, and tendons in the upper or lower extremities. The choice of treatment results in different cosmetic and functional outcomes for mangled injury. In this study, we estimated patients' quality of life after treatment with the future intention of having patients make proper decisions at the time of injury. METHODS: Twenty patients were treated at Asan Medical Center from January, 2009 to November, 2011, and 11 patients were included who agreed with the questionnaire. We used 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) for estimating quality of life after treatments. RESULTS: Subjective satisfaction of cosmetic and functional aspects was higher in the reconstruction group than in the amputation group. However, in the estimation of specified satisfaction using SF-36, the amputation group was more satisfied than the reconstruction group. CONCLUSION: Among the many treatment considerations at the time of injury, expected cosmetic and functional outcomes were important parts determining the decision. In our study, the amputation group showed a better satisfaction level. This result could help patients make more appropriate decisions in the case of mangled injury.
Amputation ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Intention ; Limb Salvage ; Lower Extremity ; Muscles ; Quality of Life ; Tendons

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detecting the lymph node (LN) metastasis of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 119 patients (M:F=89:30; mean age: 64) with gastric cancer were referred for preoperative FDG-PET/CT scanning and spiral enhanced abdominal pelvic CT from June 2006 to July 2008, and these were the subjects of our study. All the patients underwent curative radical gastrectomy and lymph node dissection. A final diagnosis was made for all the patients by the histology of the surgical specimens. RESULTS: Both PET/CT and enhanced CT showed similar sensitivity for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (32.6% vs 39.5%, respectively). PET/CT was more accurate than enhanced CT for detecting regional lymph node metastasis (67.2% vs 63.0%, respectively), and PET/CT showed better specificity (86.8% vs 76.3, respectively) and a better positive predictive value (PPV) (58.3% vs 48.6%, respectively). PET/CT showed better specificity (98.0% vs 88.2%, respectively) and accuracy (79.4% vs 73.9%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting early gastric cancer. PET/CT showed better specificity (64.0% vs 52.0%, respectively), a better PPV (60.9% vs 57.1%), a better negative predictive value (NPV) (48.5% vs 46.4%, respectively) and better accuracy (53.6% vs 51.8%, respectively) than enhanced CT for detecting advanced gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET/CT is more usefulness than enhanced CT for making the preoperative diagnosis of regional LN metastases from gastric cancers.
Electrons ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to assess propofol as sedative agents for colonoscopy in the safety and efficacy, compared with midazolam plus meperidine. METHODS: 120 patients undergoing colonoscopy in a prospective study were randomly assigned to one of three medication regimens. Patients in group A (n=42) received i.v. 25 mg of meperidine and 2.5 mg of midazolam. Patients in group B (n=41) received i.v. a median dose of 96.59 mg of propofol (range 40-180) and patients in group C (n=37) received i.v. 25 mg of meperidine and a median dose of 77.03 mg of propofol (range 40-150), administered by a nurse with endoscopist supervision. Endpoints were patient satisfaction, procedure and recovery times and complications. RESULTS: The mean time to sedation was much faster in 2 groups using propofol (group A: 152+/-105.9 sec, group B: 52.9+/-46.5 sec, group C: 56+/-63.7sec; p<0.001). The mean time to reach the cecum was not different among the 3 groups. There were total 3 episodes of oxygen desaturation to <90%, as one in each group, but the patients were spontaneously recovered with only increasing O2 concentration and arousal. Patients in group C expressed better overall mean satisfaction than patients in group A (p=0.049), but difference was not found between group A and group B. The amnestic effect was better in two groups using propofol than group A (p=0.017) The mean dose of propofol was lower in the patients who received propofol combined with low dose of meperidine than those with propofol only (77.03 mg vs 96.59 mg, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Nurse-administered propofol sedation with endoscopist supervision is believed to be safe and useful for colonoscopy with careful monitoring.
Arousal ; Cecum ; Colonoscopy ; Conscious Sedation* ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Midazolam ; Organization and Administration ; Oxygen ; Patient Satisfaction ; Propofol* ; Prospective Studies*