BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of symptomatic pneumothorax in the full-term neonate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 32 symptomatic pneumothorax patients in the full term neonates who admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Ulsan Dong Kang General Hospital from January, 2000 to December, 2004. The subjects were divided into two groups according to underlying causes; spontaneous pneumothorax group and secondary pneumothorax group, then each clinical characteristics were assessed. RESULTS: Spontaneous pneumothorax patients were 10 (31%) and secondary pneumothorax patients were 22 (69%). Overall incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax was 0.4%. Most common cause of secondary pneumothorax was pneumonia. Twelve cases (54.5%) among secondary pneumothorax patients were associated with mechanical ventilator care. Clinical characteristics, courses and managements were similar between two groups, but more shorter duration of admission and chest-tube insertion in spontaneous pneumothorax group CONCLUSION: The patient with symptomatic pneumothorax needs careful observation and proper management with or without underlying respiratory diseases
Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Medical Records ; Pneumonia ; Pneumothorax* ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulsan ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and abdominal ultrasonogra- phic (US) features of spontaneously reduced transient small bowel intussusception in chlidren. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and US findings of 98 children with intussusception who were admitted to the Pediatric Department of Ulsan Dong-Kang General Hospital from Mar. 1999 to Feb. 2000. RESULTS: 1) Among 98 cases, there were 12 cases (12.3%) of transient small bowel intussusception (TSBI) and 86 cases (87.7%) of classic intussusception (CI). 2) The peak incidence of age in TSBI was over 3 years, which was older than that in CI. With regard to sex distribution, male predominated in both type. 3) Clinical symptoms and signs including cyclic irritability, vomiting, bloody stool, and abdominal mass in TSBI group were less common than those in CI group (41.7%, 33.4%, 0.0%, 0.0% vs 91.9%, 59.3%, 41.9%, 26.7%, respectively) but persistent abdominal pain was more common in TSBI group than in CI group (58.5% vs 11.2% ). 4) The size of total target sign and surrounding peripheral hypoechoic rim of TSBI group on US were smaller than those of CI group (11.9±2.61 mm, 2.08±1.15 mm vs 26.91±5.98 mm, 7.86±2.77 mm, respectively). 5) Concomittant illness was found more frequently in TSBI group than in CI group (66.7% vs 26.7%). 6) All case of TSBI group were reduced spontaneouly, which were confirmed by US, but none of CI group. CONCLUSION: Transient small bowel intussusception is probably more common than generally thought and its clinical and US findings is quite different from classical obstructing intussus-ception. Because all of our cases resulted in spontaneous reduction, we recommend careful observation and repeat examination rather than an immediate operation in transient small bowel intussusception.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intussusception ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Ulsan ; Ultrasonography ; Vomiting

Duplicated inferior vena cava (IVC) is a congenital anomaly seen rarely in the general population. Patients with IVC variants usually do not present any symptoms and are found incidentally in many cases. However, physicians are urged to recognize the presence of such anomalies during diagnostic or invasive procedures as these variants of blood vessel systems can impose substantial implications in certain clinical situations. Subsequently, information about IVC variants may become critical if surgical injuries or predisposing conditions act as life-threatening risks to patients during medical procedures. We present a case of duplicated IVC in a 68-year-old female patient with rectal cancer where an IVC anomaly was found during surgical resection of her tumor. From our experience, we emphasize the importance of having the knowledge of IVC variations in patients undergoing invasive surgical procedures which may involve large vessels.
Aged ; Blood Vessels ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; Laparotomy ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Vena Cava, Inferior

No abstract available.
Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor*

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the clinical and phylogenetic characteristics of Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infections (E. coli UTI). METHODS: We enrolled patients with culture-proven E. coli UTI, who were admitted at the study hospital from September 2008 to August 2009. We investigated clinical data of patients with E. coli UTI and characteristics of isolated E. coli strains. The phylogenetic groups were classified using triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the distribution of nine virulent genes was determined by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients have participated in this study. Thirty (63.8%) were under 6 months; eight (17.0%) were between 6-12 months; and nine (19.1%) were over 12 months. We compared two age groups between under 6-month and over 6-month. In the age group under 6-month, higher proportion of male (P=0.002) and group B2 strains (P=0.020) were observed. In contrast, higher proportion of female and group non-B2 strains were observed in age group over 6-month. Frequencies of papC, papGII, papGIII, sfa/foc, hlyC, cnf1, fyuA, iroN and iucC were estimated as 68.1%, 57.4%, 42.6%, 46.8%, 46.8%, 31.9%, 87.2%, 48.9% and 63.8%, respectively. In the comparison of phylogenetic groups, group B2 showed higher distribution of virulent genes, while group D included more strains resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) than other groups. CONCLUSION: We showed the age group-specific difference in the distribution of sex ratios and phylogenetic groups; more male and group B2 strains in age group under 6-month, while more female and group non-B2 in age group over 6-month. However, further evaluation including larger number of patients will be necessary to confirm above thesis in future molecular epidemiological studies.
Epidemiologic Studies ; Escherichia ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Iron ; Male ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sex Ratio ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

The recent introduction of an intraoperative near infrared fluorescence (INIF) imaging system installed on the da Vinci Si(R) robotic system has enabled surgeons to identify intravascular NIF signals in real time. This technology is useful in identifying hidden vessels and assessing blood supply to bowel segments. In this study, we report 3 cases of patients with rectal cancer who underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) with INIF imaging for the first time in Asia. In September 2012, robotic-assisted rectal resection with INIF imaging was performed on three consecutive rectal cancer patients. LAR was performed in 2 cases, and abdominoperineal resection was performed in the third case. INIF imaging was used to identify the left colic branch of the inferior mesenteric artery and to assess blood supply to the distal rectum. We evaluated the utility of INIF imaging in performing robotic-assisted colorectal procedures. Our preliminary results suggest that this technique is safe and effective, and that INIF imaging may be a useful tool to colorectal surgeons.
Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation/*methods ; *Intraoperative Care ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms/*surgery ; Rectum/*surgery ; Robotics/*methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

The damage which radiation produces in tissues such as the lungs can be discussed at the molecular, biophysical, cellular, and organ levels. The cellular effects of irradiating the lungs are related to the histologic and clinical sequelae. In the present study the right lung of rabbits were exposed to single dose of 20 Gy of X-irradiation. Animals from each group were sacrificed monthly for 6 months postexposure. Sections of lung were examined by light microscopy(LM) and by transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Multiple exudative lesions were seen at 2 months after the 20Gy irradiation, and they progressed to a proliferative and then reparative fibrotic lesion by 6 months. Changes in epithelial lining of lung components, particulary the presence of type II pneumocytes were found by both LM and TEM. Capillary endothelial damages were less pronounced. The possible implication of cellular components in radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis is discussed.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Fibrosis ; Lung* ; Pneumocytes ; Rabbits ; Radiation Pneumonitis

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic colectomy has clinical benefits such as short hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and early return of bowel function. However, objective evidence of its immunologic and oncologic benefits is scarce. We compared functional recovery after open versus laparoscopic sigmoidectomy and investigated the effect of open versus laparoscopic surgery on acute inflammation as well as tumor stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 57 patients who were diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer were randomized for elective conventional or laparoscopically assisted sigmoidectomy. Serum samples were obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day 1. C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured as inflammation markers, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were used as tumor stimulation factors. Clinical parameters and serum markers were compared. RESULTS: Postoperative hospital stay (p=0.031), the first day of gas out (p=0.016), and the first day of soft diet (p<0.001) were significantly shorter for the laparoscopic surgery group than the open surgery group. The levels of CRP, IL-6, and VEGF rose significantly, and the concentration of IGFBP-3 fell significantly after both open and laparoscopic surgery. However, there were no significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative levels of CRP, IL-6, VEGF, and IGFBP-3 between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that both open and laparoscopic surgeries are accompanied by significant changes in IL-6, CRP, IGFBP-3, and VEGF levels. Acute inflammation markers and tumor stimulating factors may not reflect clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery.
Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Colectomy/*adverse effects/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation/etiology/metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/blood ; Interleukin-6/blood ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Sigmoid Neoplasms/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood

No abstract available.
Skin*

Migraine equivalents include cyclic vomiting, acute confusional states, and benign paroxysmal vertigo. Cyclic vomiting is characterized by recurrent, sometimes monthly, boults of severe vomiting that may be so intense dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities occur, particularly in an infact. We experienced a 3-year-old girl who showed manifestations of cyclic vomiting and abdominal pain. We report this case with a review of related literatures.
Abdominal Pain ; Child, Preschool ; Dehydration ; Female ; Humans ; Migraine Disorders* ; Vertigo ; Vomiting