The patients initially underwent epikeratoplasty for keratoconus but a penetrating kerato plasty was required due to the opacity in the cornea. By using of this specimen, which was obtained by trephination the healing process of the host-Ienticule cornea could be examined by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence method. Epithelial ingrowth over the lenticule was well formed by the regeneration of the basement membrane over the Bowman's membrane. However, the poor attachment of the lenticule over the host corneal stroma made the interface easily separated during the sectioning processes. Electron microscopic study revealed the keratocytes in the lenticule stroma vacuolized with large number of degenerated microorganelles. These results suggest that it may take a long time to complete the wound healing of the host-Ienticule interface despite the epithelial ingrowth onto the lenticule was well formed.
Basement Membrane ; Bowman Membrane ; Cornea ; Corneal Stroma ; Epikeratophakia* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; Microscopy, Electron ; Regeneration ; Trephining ; Wound Healing

Prurigo pigmentosa is a chronic pruritic inflammatory dermaoss characterized by erythematous papules in a reticulated pattern that resolve leaving a reticulated, mottled hyperpigmentation. Most cases have been reported from Japan. Two cases of prurigo pigmentosa have been reported in Korean women. We experienced a casc of prurigo pigmentosa in a Korean man of 20 years of age. Histopathological findings of reddish papule showed exocytosis, sponsiosis, intraepidermal vesicles, hydropic degeneration of basal cells in the epidermis, and hyphohistiocytic infiltration in the upper dermis. Direct irnmunofluorescence was negetive. Therapy with dapsone, 50 mg given daily, resulted in a rerinable regression of the reddish papules. The daily dose of clapsone was reduced to 25mg; however, no new reddish, pruritic papules have appeared.
Dapsone ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Exocytosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Japan ; Prurigo*

No abstract available.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Abdominal*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Microvascular Decompression Surgery*

PURPOSE: Recently, there are many good reports on the arthroscopic management of tibial condylar fractures. But, it may be appropriate for selected tibial condylar fractures and also needs a skilled technique. So we report the results of the tibial condylar fractures treated by the arthroscopy and limited percutaneous fixation or the arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1996 to December 1997, we treated 22 cases of the tibial condy- lar fractures including relatively comminuted one and analysed the results of patients who have been observed at least 1 year with Porters knee evaluation criteria. RESULTS: In 18 out of 22 cases, the results were Acceptable on symptoms(excellent 3, good 15, fair 4), in 18, on function(excellent 10, good 8, fair 3), in 21, on appearance(excellent 12, good 9, fair 1) and in 20, on radiographic appearance(excellent 11, good 9, fair 2). Overall results were Acceptable in 18 cases(82%) and Unacceptable in 4 cases(18%). CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic-assisted management with conventional internal fixation without arthrotomy can be the recommendable treatment for the tibial condylar fractures, including relatively comminuted one, without complications.
Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Knee

It is well known that intracranial hemangiopericytoma commonly metastasizes elsewhere in the body, especially bone and lung. However, brain metastasis of extracranial hemangiopericytoma is very rare. The authors report a case of intracranial metastatic hemangiopericytoma from pelvis in a 41 year old woman. Neurogic symptoms developed 14 months after discovering the pelvic mass. After surgical excision, the clinical course was improved.
Adult ; Brain ; Female ; Hemangiopericytoma* ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Pelvis*

Hemobilia is defined as hemorrhage into the biliary tract as a result of a communication between the biliary tract and arteriovenous circulation. A classical triad of symptoms and signs are upper abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and jaundice. Hemobilia is a rare condition that may be difficult to recognize; it is, nevertheless, important to include it in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. The causes include accidental and iatrogenic trauma, gallstones, inflammation, vascular malformation, and tumors. Due to the frequent use of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving hepatobiliary and portal systems, there has been an increase in the incidence of iatrogenic hemobilia during the last two decades. Like hematuria and epistaxis, hemobilia may also occur in coagulopathy, but acquired coagulopathy with anticoagulation therapy is very rarely associated with this condition. We present a case of acquired coagulopathy following warfarin therapy that resulted in spontaneous hemobilia complicating acalculous cholecystitis and cholangitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Acalculous Cholecystitis ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangitis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epistaxis ; Gallstones ; Hematuria ; Hemobilia* ; Hemorrhage ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Jaundice ; Portal System ; Vascular Malformations ; Warfarin*

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare entity that has been reported to occur in different age groups, from pediatric to elderly patients. The etiology and the pathogenesis remain unclear. By definition, SSEH excludes that due to obvious trauma, anticoagulant therapy, coagulopathy, vascular malformation, and tumors. The pre-senting symptoms vary, but the usual earliest presentation is a sudden stabbing pain associated with a nerve-root type of irradiation. A variable degree of sensorimotor deficit then rapidly develops. An urgent computed tomography (CT) myelography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be performed to diagnose the hematoma. For patients with incomplete sensorimotor deficit, favorable outcomes are thought to correlate highly with surgery (decompressive laminectomy) within 48 hours. This critical time is sharply reduced to 12 hours for patients with complete sensorimotor deficit.
Aged ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal* ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Spine ; Vascular Malformations

PURPOSE: Respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) is caused by a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant, which is a lipoprotein complex. Both low levels of surfactant protein A(SP-A) and SP-A alleles have been associated with RDS. However, the genes underlying susceptibility to RDS are insufficiently known. The candidate-gene approach was used to study the association between the SP-A gene locus and RDS in the genetically homogeneous Korean population. METHODS: A PCR-cRFLP-based methodology was used to detect SP-A genotype. Twenty four neonates with RDS were matched pairwise to those without RDS. RESULTS: The frequencies of specific genotypes such as 6A(2), 1A(0) were increased, but the frequency of specific 1A(2) genotype was increased in control group. 6A(2)/1A(0) were also increased in the RDS group. Infants who did not have RDS develop, despite prematurity and lack of steroid therapy, had a higher frequency of the 1A(2) allele than infants who had received steroid therapy and had RDS develop. However, infants who had received steroid therapy and had RDS develop had a higher frequency of the 1A(0) allele than infants who did not have RDS develop, despite prematurity and lack of steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: SP-A alleles/haplotypes are susceptible(6A(2), 1A(0), 6A(2)/1A(0)) or protective(1A(2)) factors for RDS. We conclude that the SP-A gene locus is an important determinant for predisposition to RDS in neonates
Alleles ; Genotype ; Humans* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Lipoproteins ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Steroids