PURPOSE: To clarify the chracteristic sonographic features of benign soft tissue tumors and to evaluate the usefulness of sonographic imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed ultrasonographic images of 70 cases in 68 patients with histologically proved benign soft tissue tumors. RESULTS: The tumors included 33 lipomas, 11 hemangiomas. 11 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 4 epidermold cysts, 2 fibromas, 1 mesenchymoma, and 1 myxoma. The SOhographic appearances of the lesions were mainly solid in 53 cases(33 lipomas, 8 hemangiomas, 2 lymphangiomas, 7 neurilemmomas, 2 fibromas and 1 mesenchymoma), mainly cystic in 14 cases(1 hemangioma, 8 lymphangiomas, 4 epidermoid cysts, and 1 myxoma), and mixed in 3 cases(2 hemangiomas and 1 lymphangioma). Although an accurate histologic prediction could not be made in most cases, certain patterns appeared to be characteristic of specific tumor types. 26 cases(78%) of lipoma were seen as lentiform, iso- or hyperechoic, solid mass. Hemangioma had variable appearance and chacteristic calcifications were seen in 3 cases. Unicameral or multiseptated cystic mass with variable thickness of echogenic septa and solid portion was the characteristic finding of lymphangioma. Neurilemmoma showed Iobulated, oval to round, relatively hypoechoic mass with or without internal cystic portion. CONCLUSION: Sonographic evaluation of benign soft tissue tumros is useful in demonstrating the location, size, extent, and internal characteristics of the mass. A relatively confident diagnosis can be made when the characteristic features of the benign soft tissue tumor are present on sonographic imaging.
Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst ; Fibroma ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Lymphangioma ; Mesenchymoma ; Myxoma ; Neurilemmoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The erythromycin-resistance rate and phenotype distribution of Streptococcus propenes are quite different by geographical variation and study period. The aim of the present study was to determine the evolution of resistance to erythromycin and the frequency of erythromycin resistance phenotype of S. pyogenes isolated from Wonju Christian Hospital. METHODS: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of erythromycin and clindamycin for 94 S. pyogenes isolated from clinical specimens between 1990 to 1998 were investigated. Double disk test of erythromycin (78microgram) and clindamycin (25microgram) were performed for 15 isolates of erythromycin resistant S. pyogenes to evaluate the erythromycin resistance phenotype. RESULTS: The resistance rates of 94 isolates of S. pyogenes were 16%(15/94) to erythromycin and 4%(4/94) to clindamycin. The frequency of erythromycin resistance phenotype in decreasing order were M phenotype (47%), inducible resistance phenotype (40%), and constitutive resistance phenotype (13%). Erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes did not exist until 1993, but was isolated since 1994, and ranged from 14.0% to 24.0% during the period of 1994-1998. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding documents the emergence of high resistance rates to erythromycin in S. pyogenes at Wonju area since 1994. The M phenotype (47%) and inducible resistance phenotype (40%) account for the majority of erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes.
Clindamycin ; Erythromycin* ; Gangwon-do ; Phenotype* ; Streptococcus pyogenes* ; Streptococcus*

BACKGROUND: As many as several weeks of incubation may be necessary for the recovery of mycobacteria when conventional culture media are used. Previous studies evaluating Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) as a rapid for the growth and detection of mycobacteria from clinical specimens have been reported. We compared MGIT with Ogawa media for the recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens. METHODS: Ninety nine clinical specimens received in the laboratory of Wonju Christian Hospital from June to September 199 were used for this study. The specimens from nonsterile body sites were digested, decontaminated, and concentrated, for culture and Ziehl-Neelsen stain, and specimen were inoculated onto MGIT tube and 3% Ogawa egg medium, and cultured for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 38 specimens culture-positive for mycobacteria, 3 grew isolates in MGIT medium only, 8 grew isolates in Ogawa media only, and 27 grew isolates in both media. Mean (median, range) times to detection of mycobacteria were 13.7 (5.5, 2-48) days with MGIT and 19.6 (18, 13-37) days with Ogawa (P>0.05). The number recovered with MGIT plus Ogawa media was 24 (63.2%) within 14 days of receipt of specimen, and 31 (81.6%) within 21 days. The contamination rates were 31 % for MGIT and 1 % for Ogawa media. CONCLUSIONS: MGIT appears useful to quickly detect and identify mycobacteria from clinical specimens. However, because the number of culture-positive specimen in MGIT was not greater than those recovered with Ogawa media, MGIT should be used in combination with solid media to reduce turnaround times and increase the isolation rate.
Culture Media ; Gangwon-do ; Mycobacterium ; Ovum

BACKGROUND: As many as several weeks of incubation may be necessary for the recovery of mycobacteria when conventional culture media are used. Previous studies evaluating Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) as a rapid for the growth and detection of mycobacteria from clinical specimens have been reported. We compared MGIT with Ogawa media for the recovery of mycobacteria from clinical specimens. METHODS: Ninety nine clinical specimens received in the laboratory of Wonju Christian Hospital from June to September 199 were used for this study. The specimens from nonsterile body sites were digested, decontaminated, and concentrated, for culture and Ziehl-Neelsen stain, and specimen were inoculated onto MGIT tube and 3% Ogawa egg medium, and cultured for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 38 specimens culture-positive for mycobacteria, 3 grew isolates in MGIT medium only, 8 grew isolates in Ogawa media only, and 27 grew isolates in both media. Mean (median, range) times to detection of mycobacteria were 13.7 (5.5, 2-48) days with MGIT and 19.6 (18, 13-37) days with Ogawa (P>0.05). The number recovered with MGIT plus Ogawa media was 24 (63.2%) within 14 days of receipt of specimen, and 31 (81.6%) within 21 days. The contamination rates were 31 % for MGIT and 1 % for Ogawa media. CONCLUSIONS: MGIT appears useful to quickly detect and identify mycobacteria from clinical specimens. However, because the number of culture-positive specimen in MGIT was not greater than those recovered with Ogawa media, MGIT should be used in combination with solid media to reduce turnaround times and increase the isolation rate.
Culture Media ; Gangwon-do ; Mycobacterium ; Ovum

PURPOSE: We evaluated the abdominal uttrasonographic findings of Salmonellosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 64 patients who were confirmed as salmonellosis by blood culture. We retrospectively analyzed the abdominal ultrasonographic findings with particular attention to enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes(mesenteric lymphadenitis), thickening of bowel wall, especially terminal ileum and cecum(ileocecitis), hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, gallbladder wall thickening, and enlarged lymph nodes in porta hepatis. RESULTS: The 64 cases were observed as mesenteric lymph node enlargement(44 cases), wall thickening of the terminal ileum and cecum(36 cases), hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly(42 cases), minimal ascites(8 cases), gallbladder wall thickening(6 cases), and enlarged lymph nodes in porta hepatis(4 cases). No abnormal finding was seen in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: The mesenteric lymph node enlargement, wall thickening of the terminal ileum and cecum, hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly, minimal ascites, gallbladder wall thickening, and enlarged lymph nodes in porta hepatis are suggestive findings of salmonellosis on abdominal ultrasonography in patients with fever and acute abdomen.
Abdomen, Acute ; Ascites ; Cecum ; Fever ; Gallbladder ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Ileum ; Lymph Nodes ; Retrospective Studies ; Salmonella Infections* ; Splenomegaly ; Ultrasonography

We report a case of non-secretory plasma cell leukemia with complex chromosomal abnormalities including t (11;14)(q13;q32). A 57-year-old man was admitted to hospital due to anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal insufficiency. Bone marrow examination and peripheral blood smear revealed a large number of immature plasma cells with positivity for CD38. Monoclonal gammopathy or abnormal paraproteins were not observed in serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation. The cytogenetic analysis showed complex chromosomal abnormalities [45, XY, -1, t (11;14)(q13;q32), t (12;17)(p13;q21)]. He was died of adult respiratory distress syndrome on the 6th hospital day.
Anemia ; Bone Marrow Examination ; Chromosome Aberrations* ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Leukemia, Plasma Cell* ; Middle Aged ; Paraproteinemias ; Paraproteins ; Plasma Cells* ; Plasma* ; Renal Insufficiency ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Thrombocytopenia

Aeromonas hydrophila is a facultative, anaerobic gram-negative bacillus. It's a member of the family Vibrionaceae. Aeromonas, which is known to cause gastroenteritis and wound infections ranging from mild cellulitis to fulminant myonecrosis. It is responsible for opportunistic infections in patients with compromised immune function due to an underlying disease such as malignant hematological disorders, liver cirrhosis, and malignant neoplasm. We report a case of 72-year-old woman who recovered from necrotizing fasciitis caused by A. hydrophila. The patient had undergone prolonged hemodialysis and had no history of trauma.
Aeromonas hydrophila* ; Aeromonas* ; Aged ; Bacillus ; Cellulitis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Opportunistic Infections ; Renal Dialysis* ; Vibrionaceae ; Wound Infection

Aeromonas hydrophila is a facultative, anaerobic gram-negative bacillus. It's a member of the family Vibrionaceae. Aeromonas, which is known to cause gastroenteritis and wound infections ranging from mild cellulitis to fulminant myonecrosis. It is responsible for opportunistic infections in patients with compromised immune function due to an underlying disease such as malignant hematological disorders, liver cirrhosis, and malignant neoplasm. We report a case of 72-year-old woman who recovered from necrotizing fasciitis caused by A. hydrophila. The patient had undergone prolonged hemodialysis and had no history of trauma.
Aeromonas hydrophila* ; Aeromonas* ; Aged ; Bacillus ; Cellulitis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Opportunistic Infections ; Renal Dialysis* ; Vibrionaceae ; Wound Infection

Hemangiomas of the bladder are a rare but recognized cause of gross hematuria. In many cases, the tumor shows the characteristics of an iceberg, with considerable extravesical extension making endoscopic management less suitable. In spite of its benign nature, bladder hemangioma may grow continuously, and spontaneous regression is rare. They need to be adequately treated to avoid recurrent fatal hematuria and appropriately followed up to detect recurrency or persistency. We report a case of cavernous hemangioma of the bladder in 26-year-old woman, who presented recurrent gross hematuria and was treated with partial cystectomy.
Adult ; Cystectomy ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Ice Cover ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: The Sitz bath is a commonly used nonsurgical treatment for patients with hemorrhoids. When these patients use public baths, possibilities exposure to infectious diseases due to public-bath utilization by exist for person infected with many kinds of diseases. In particular, because Hepatitis type B and type C viruses are infection sources for chronic liver diseases, we shall examine the risks of infections of HBV and HCV in acute hemorrhoids patients by examining the existences of HBV DNA and HCV RNA in the waters of public baths. RESULTS: From March 2005 to March 2006, 29 hot-water samples and 22 cold-water samples were obtained from public baths within Busan. With each sample, COBAS Amplicor HBV DNA monitor and HCV RNA monitor were used to run a quantitative (PCR) for HBV DNA and HCV RNA. Additionally, HBsAg and HBeAg were examined through chemiluminescent microparticle immuno assay (CMIA). RESULTS: HBV DNA was detected in 4 samples and HCV RNA was detected in an other 4 samples of the 29 samples from the hot baths. In 22 samples from the cold baths, HBV DNA was detected in 3 samples and HCV RNA in an other 2 samples. The mean levels of HBV DNA detected were 162.8 IU/ml and 1,586 IU/ml and the mean levels of HCV RNA were 276 IU/ml and 3,067 IU/ml from specimens in hot and cold baths, respectively. In the tests for HBs Ag and HBeAg, among 51 samples, 2 hot-water samples showed positive for HBs Ag while the others showed negative. CONCLUSIONS: HBV DNA and HCV RNA were detected in both the hot and the cold waters of public baths. However, this result cannot be regarded as demonstrating infectivity, but further studies are thought to be needed to examine the risks of infections to patients with acute hemorrhoids of higher than third degree or patients with open wounds or external orifices. A patient with hemorrhoids or fistulas with external orifices should not use public baths and should undergo curative surgery.
Baths* ; Busan ; Communicable Diseases ; DNA* ; Fistula ; Hemorrhoids* ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; RNA* ; Water ; Wounds and Injuries