PURPOSE: To determine the radiographic findings which predict the presence of nonbronchial systemic feeding arteries (NBFAs) in patients undergoing embolotherapy to control hemoptysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 48 patients (39 men and 9 women; mean age, 51 years) who underwent embolotherapeutic procedures for controlling hemoptysis, selective angiography was performed at the intercostal, subclavian and bronchial arteries in 65 hemithoraces (right 11, left 20, bilateral 17). Underlying diseases were tuberculosis (n=34, including three patients with aspergilloma), bronchiectasis (n=11), paragonimiasis(n=2) and metastatic cancer (n=1). The presence of NBFA at angiography was correlated with radiographic findings including pleural thickening, parenchymal distortion, and the location of lung lesions. RESULTS: NBFAs were found in 34 (77%) of 44 hemithoraces with pleural thickening, and in six (29%) of 21 without pleural thickening; the sensitivity and specificity of prediction were 85% and 60%, respectively. NBFAs were observed with greater frequency as the thickness of the pleura increased, and the extent of pleural thickening correlated less with the presence of NBFA than did thickness. NBFAs were found in 35 (78%) of 45 hemithoraces with parenchymal distortion, and in five (25%) of 20 without distortion (p<0.001). In addition, the distribution of the underlying disease in the upper lung zone showed close correlation with the presence of NBFAs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with hemoptysis, the pleural thickening revealed by radiography has a high sensitivity and a relatively low specificity for predicting the presence of NBFA, and patients with parenchymal distortion and upper lung lesions have a high incidence of NBFA.
Angiography ; Arteries* ; Bronchial Arteries ; Bronchiectasis ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Male ; Pleura ; Radiography* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculosis

No abstract available.
Spectrophotometry, Atomic*

PURPOSE: In treating colorectal carcinoma, metastasis and recurrence are the most important problems encountering after a curative resection of the tumor. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of the disease progression and being able to predict the likelihood of recurrence is very important. METHODS: In this study, 56 colorectal carcinoma cases were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining on CD44s, CD44v5, CD44v6, and p27(kip1) were performed to determine the expression level of the protein, the patient's clinical findings and the pathophysiology. RESULTS: 1) CD44v5 showed a positive response in 47 (83.9%) out of 56 cases. By analyzing the Astler-Coller classification and the invasion of the lymphatic system, the value expressed was significantly high. 2) p27(kip1) showed a positive response in 35 (62.5%) out of 56 cases. As the disease progressed, there was a significant decrease according to analysis of Astler-Coller classification, and the invasion of the lymph node and lymphatics. The relationship showed an inverse correlation as the disease progressed. 3) For the CD44s and CD44v6, analysis by the Astler-Coller classification, the histological pattern, lymph node metastasis, invasion of the lymphatic system and the depth of the invasion, were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: CD44v5 and p27(kip1) have a relationship with tumor progression, and is a valuable marker for prognosis. In particular, CD44v5 appeared to be involved in tumor progression where the tumor cells invaded the lymphatic system.
Classification ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Disease Progression ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic System ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence