We presented several cases of the exophthalmos due to the orbital tumors, with the review of the literatures. We performed modified Kronlein operation and anterior orbitotomy, appropriately for each cases to improve the visual acuity and at least to correct cosmetically the proptosed eye. It will be better to do one's best in order to search a possible way to save the eye ball by which the ophthalmologist can remove the orbital tumor even if the patient lost his vision.
Exophthalmos* ; Humans ; Orbit ; Visual Acuity

We retrospectively evaluated postoperative refraction of four patients(five eyes)who received intraocular lens implantation after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).The mean age of the patients was 44.8 years and 3 patients were female and 1 patient was male.The mean interval between PRK and cataract operation was 20.2 months (1 to 45 months)and the mean follow-up time after cataract operation was 16.2 months(2~43months).Phacoemulsification and PMMA-PCL(6.0~6.5 mm)implantation were made in all cases.SRK-II formula,the most popular empirical formula was used in first 3 cases(group I),but Idem-lens formula,a primitive theoretical formula was used in another 2 cases (group II)after occurrence postoperative refraction errors in group I .In group I and II,the mean postoperative refraction error was +3.00 diopters and +0.50 diopters and uncorrected visual acuity at postoperative 2 months was 20/60 and 20/24 respectively.The mean of calculated IOL-power was -3.75 diopter in group I and -0.625 diopter in group II.From these results,the empirical formula is definitely unsuitable for the calculation of IOL power in the cataract operation following excimer laser PRK. Moreover,although a primitive one,Idem-lens theory could be temporally useful for the IOL-power calculation in such cases.In conclusion,new formula is required for the cataract operation following excimer laser PRK.
Cataract* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of emergency debridement performed in conjunction with an empirical antibiotic therapy in clinically diagnosed, full-blown Vibrio vulnificus sepsis. METHODS: Immediate surgical debridement was performed on 13 out of 15 patients who were clinically diagnosed as having Vibrio vulnificus sepsis. RESULTS: Among 15 patients Vibrio vulnificus was isolated in 8 patients. Underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis (2), chronic alcohol ingestion or chronic liver disease (10), diabetes mellitus (3), gastrectomy (1) and in 4 cases no underlying condition was identified. All patients had skin lesions such as erythema, bulla, vesicle and gangrene. All but one initially showed variable degree of hypotension, thrombocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, renal failure and mental confusion. Their mean APACHE III score was 84. Immediate survival (within 48hrs) in clinically diagnosed Vibrio sepsis was 80% (12/15) and long term survival rate among them was 66.6%. Forty-eight hour survival rate in bacteriologically confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis was 75%, where their long-term survival was 62.5%. CONCLUSION: In treating full-blown Vibrio vulnificus sepsis, immediate emergency surgical debridement performed in conjunction with the empirical antibiotics gives a possibility to improve both immediate and long term prognosis of the disease.
Anti-Bacterial Agents* ; APACHE ; Debridement* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Eating ; Emergencies* ; Erythema ; Gangrene ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Prognosis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Sepsis* ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; Vibrio vulnificus ; Vibrio*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the prevalence and relationship of peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori infection to liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We examined 288 patients with liver cirrhosis, 322 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, and 339 patients with peptic ulcer disease. Rapid urease test and Wright-Giemsa staining were used for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patients with cirrhosis was 24.3%. The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in patients with cirrhosis divided into Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 22.3%, 21.0%, and 31.3%, respectively (p>0.05). The prevalence of H. pylori infection in the patients with cirrhosis, non-ulcer dyspepsia, and peptic ulcer without chronic liver disease were 35.1%, 62.4%, and 73.7%, respectively (p<0.001). The prevalence of H. pylori infection did not differ depending on whether there was peptic ulcer (35.6%) or not (34.9%) in patients with liver cirrhosis (p>0.05). The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with hepatitis virus-related liver cirrhosis and in the patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis was 42.5% and 22.0%, respectively (p<0.001). The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C liver cirrhosis was 51.5%, 30.5%, and 20.0%, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than H. pylori may be involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
Adult ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/*epidemiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stomach Ulcer/*complications/*epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Cancer and ischemic stroke are two of the most common causes of death among the elderly, and associations between them have been reported. However, the main pathomechanisms of stroke in cancer patients are not well known, and can only be established based on accurate knowledge of the characteristics of cancer-related strokes. We review herein recent studies concerning the clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of patients with cancer-related stroke. MAIN CONTENTS: This review covers the epidemiology, underlying mechanisms, and acute and preventive treatments for cancer-related stroke. First, the characteristics of stroke (clinical and radiological features) and systemic cancer (type and extent) in patients with cancer-specific stroke are discussed. Second, the role of laboratory tests in the early identification of patients with cancer-specific stroke is discussed. Specifically, serum D-dimer levels (as a marker of a hypercoagulable state) and embolic signals on transcranial Doppler (suggestive of embolic origin) may provide clues regarding changes in the levels of coagulopathy related to cancer and anticoagulation. Finally, strategies for stroke treatment in cancer patients are discussed, emphasizing the importance of preventive strategies (i.e., the use of anticoagulants) over acute revascularization therapy in cancer-related stroke. CONCLUSION: Recent studies have revealed that the characteristics of cancer-related stroke are distinct from those of conventional stroke. Our understanding of the characteristics of cancer-related stroke is essential to the correct management of these patients. The studies presented in this review highlight the importance of a personalized approach in treating stroke patients with cancer.
Aged ; Anticoagulants ; Cause of Death ; Embolism ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Humans ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of quantitative culture of bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia and identification of causative agents. METHODS: Study group consisted of 30 episodes in 28 patients, enrolled from January 1995 through June 1996. Inclusion criteria were 1) presence of respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum or dyspnea 2) increased peripheral blood leukocyte count(> or =11,000/mm3) 3) Fever(> or =38.3 degrees C) 4) purulent sputum 5) new or progressive infiltrate on chest radiography. For the diagnosis of pneumonia and its causative agents, sputum smear and culture, blood culture and BAL fluid studies were performed. BAL fluid studies included differential count of white blood cell, BAL fluid smear and culture, detection of elastin fibers and presence of intracellular organisms(ICO). Quantitative culture of BAL fluid was considered positive if colony-forming units was more than 1.0 x 104/ml. Positive criteria for ICO was presence of microorganism in more than five per 100 of phagocytes. RESULT: Recruited were 22 males and 6 females. The mean age was 57.5+/-13.5 years(range 25-84). Of 30 episodes underwent BAL fluid studies, 19 cases were diagnosed to be bacterial pneumonia. S. aureus(7 cases) was the most common causative agent and was followed by P. aeruginosa(4), E. cloacae(2), A. baumanii(1), H. influenzae(1) and -hemolytic Streptococcus(1). Sensitivity of quantitative culture of BAL fluid for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia was 68.4% and its specificity was 63.6%. Elastin fibers were detected in 5 cases(31%) and ICO over 5% in 3 cases(15.7%). When criteria of quantitative culture of BAL fluid, detection of ICO and elastin fibers were applied together, diagnostic rate of pneumonia was 84.2%(16/19). CONCLUSON: Quantitative culture of BAL fluid was more sensive and specific compared to sputum and blood culture for the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. It was suggested that detection of ICO and elastic fibers in BAL fluid could raise the diagnostic rate of bacterial pneumonia.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Cough ; Diagnosis* ; Dyspnea ; Elastic Tissue ; Elastin ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Phagocytes ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Bacterial* ; Radiography ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sputum ; Stem Cells ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Small proportions of all the elderly stroke patients receive recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) therapy, although old age is not a proven contraindication to intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify reasons for exclusion from r-tPA therapy and factors associated with the decision of r-tPA use in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From the acute stroke registries of 22 domestic university hospitals taking the r-tPA therapy from January 2007 to May 2010, we extracted data of all acute ischemic stroke patients who were aged 80 or over and arrived within onset 3 hours. For all patients, we assessed the eligibility of r-tPA therapy using National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) r-tPA trial criteria. For eligible patients, we compared all clinical variables between patients who were treated with r-tPA and those who were not, and analyzed potential factors related to the decision of r-tPA use. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients were included in this study. 255 patients (51.6%) were excluded by NINDS r-tPA trial criteria and the major reasons for exclusion were minor neurological deficit (53.7%) and clinical improvement (17.3%). Among 239 patients who were eligible for r-tPA, 162 (32.8%) patients received r-tPA and 77 (15.6%) did not. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age, shorter time-delay from onset to admission, non-smoker, no history of prior stroke, good pre-stroke functional status and severe initial neurological deficit were independently associated with the decision of r-tPA use in the elderly stroke patients predictors for r-tPA treatment. CONCLUSION: In very elderly patients, mild neurological deficit on arrival and rapid clinical improvement in neurological symptoms were the main reasons for exclusion from thrombolytic therapy.
Aged ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ; Registries ; Stroke ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator