No abstract available.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of expression of p63, p27, and p53 as well as Ki-67 and its efficacy to discriminate the cervical lesion such as intraepithelial lesion, microinvasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma in surgical sample. METHODS: Cervical tissue samples were obtained from 64 patients visited Hanyang University Medical Center via hysterectomy, conization, punch biopsy, and polypectomy from September 2001 to February 2002. The biopsies were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) to detect dysplasia (mild, moderate, severe), microinvasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma. All samples were stained immunohistochemically for Ki-67, p63, p27, and p53 to determine the location and proportion of positive cells. The differences of expression patterns between each group were analized using Kruskal-Wallis test of SPSS ver. 10.0 and a result of p<0.05 was judged significant. RESULTS: K-67 and p63 positive cells were highly correlated with the grade of dysplasia and invasiveness (p<0.0001). There were no differences of expression proportion between each group in p53 and p27. Ki-67 and p63 expression were increased in LSIL and HSIL groups, but not significant statistically in Ki-67 groups. In ASCUS group, Ki-67 and p63 expression level were higher but not significant statistically in p63 groups. In CIS/SCC groups, Ki-67 and p63 expression levels were higher than any other groups. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the efficacy of Ki-67, the cell proliferation marker for discrimination of CIN. Along with p63 immunohistochemical stain, Ki-67 can be used for auxiliary test to detect microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma and to discriminate CIN. p63 may be helpful in detecting cancer cell invading stromal tissue and can be used as a marker of differentiation of squamous cell for poorly differentiated tumor or mixed type tumor.
Academic Medical Centers ; Biomarkers* ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Proliferation ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Conization ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Humans ; Hysterectomy

No abstract available.
Ureter* ; Ureteral Calculi*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to study the clinical efficacy of Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena(R)) for patients who have abnormal uterine bleeding before menopause or sustaining vaginal spotting during postmenopaual hormone replacement therapy. METHODS: Between June, 2001 and June, 2003, forty six premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding such as menorrhagia and intermenstrual bleeding who did not prefer surgical treatment (Group 1) and twenty four postmenopausal patients with vaginal spotting (Group 2) were included in this study. The various parameters such as uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, volume changes of myoma or adenomyosis, and endometrial thickness were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound examination before and after Levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine system usage. RESULTS: A significant reduction in abnormal bleeding (26.3 vs 11.0) (p<0.0001) and dysmenorrhea (11.6 vs 6.1) (p<0.0001) were noticed. However, there was no significant change in volume of uterine myoma (40.0 vs 11.3) (p=0.282) and adenomyosis (103.0 vs 95.83) (p=0.266) before and after Mirena(R) insertion in Group 1. Vaginal spotting during hormone replacement therapy disappeared completely in 18/24. Also there was a significant reduction in endometrial thickness (6.3 vs 4.9) (p<0.0001) after Mirena(R) insertion in both group 1 and group 2. CONCLUSION: Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system insertion was acceptable and convenient therapeutic modality for abnormal uterine bleeding of premenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding and vaginal spotting during the postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.
Adenomyosis ; Dysmenorrhea ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Menopause ; Menorrhagia ; Metrorrhagia ; Myoma ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Hemorrhage*

STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 18 patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion for multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis associated with degenerative scoliosis were reviewed retrospectively. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the cage-instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion in multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis associated with degenerative scoliosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Degenerative lumbar scoliosis with the problems of neurogenic claudication, mechanical back pain and spinal deformity present a challenge for treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 18 surgical cases of multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis from March 1995 to April 2000 with an average follow up period of 2.9 years. We assessed the radiographic results of scoliotic angle correction and sagittal angle correction of the maximum curve and fused segment and disc height restoration. Clinical results were evaluated according to the Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: Mean scoliotic angle at preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up (maximum curve/fused segment) was 17.7-6.1-7.3degree /15.0-5.8-6.1degree respectively. Mean sagittal angle corresponding to each period was 12.1-34.1-32.7degree /8.3-27.0-26.0degree respectively. Mean disc height corresponding to each period was 22.9-42.4-40.5% respectively. The clinical result was analyzed as 15 satisfactory (83.3%), 3 fair (16.7%) and no poor. Fusion success was achieved in all patients. There were no serious complications except one case of fusion extension distally and no significant curve progression within follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The cage-posterior lumbar interbody fusion in multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis was effective for correction of scoliotic and sagittal deformity and restoration of disc height with resultant foraminal patency, provided relatively high clinical success and in situ fusion success in all cases even over multiple fusion levels, and can be an alternative among surgical treatments of this complex disease.
Back Pain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis* ; Spinal Stenosis*

The lack of familiarity with vertebral actinomycosis by both clinicians and radiologists, may contribute to its frequent omission from the differential diagnosis of suspicious lesions, therefore the condition can be difficult to diagnose. We now present the first report of two cases of thoracic and lumbar vertebral actinomycosis resulting in a paraparesis due to epidural abscess which necessifated surgery.
Actinomycosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidural Abscess ; Paraparesis ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Bacterial extract consisting of immuno-stimulating components derived from 18 Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains has been used for the prophylaxis of recurrent cystitis. Catechin, extract of green tea, has antimicrobial effect against uropathogens. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of E. coli extract and green tea, we measured the cytokine levels from bladder tissue after oral administration and analyzed bladder inflammation by histopathologic examination in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cystitis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 10-day administration of E. coli extract or catechin, cytokine [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-12p70] levels in the bladder of female BALB/c mice were measured using cytometric bead array. Bladder macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) level was also measured using sandwich enzyme immunoassay. After immunization with E. coli extract and catechin E. coli LPS was instilled into the bladders. Twenty-four hours later, mice were sacrificed and inflammation of the bladder were quantified using the bladder inflammatory index (BII). RESULTS: Significant increases of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in bladder tissue were observed after treatment with E. coli extract and catechin. IL-12p70 level was only elevated in bladder tissue of the catechin group. Bladder instilled with LPS showed high inflammation scores for edema, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage in saline treated control mice. In contrast, E. coli extract and catechin treated mice exhibited mild inflammation with significant reduction of BII scores compared to controls. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that immunization using oral E. coli extract and green tea provides protection from inflammatory responses in a mouse model of LPS-induced cystitis.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Catechin ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Cystitis* ; Edema ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Inflammation ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Leukocytes ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Tea* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Bacterial extract consisting of immuno-stimulating components derived from 18 Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains has been used for the prophylaxis of recurrent cystitis. Catechin, extract of green tea, has antimicrobial effect against uropathogens. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of E. coli extract and green tea, we measured the cytokine levels from bladder tissue after oral administration and analyzed bladder inflammation by histopathologic examination in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cystitis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After 10-day administration of E. coli extract or catechin, cytokine [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-12p70] levels in the bladder of female BALB/c mice were measured using cytometric bead array. Bladder macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) level was also measured using sandwich enzyme immunoassay. After immunization with E. coli extract and catechin E. coli LPS was instilled into the bladders. Twenty-four hours later, mice were sacrificed and inflammation of the bladder were quantified using the bladder inflammatory index (BII). RESULTS: Significant increases of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in bladder tissue were observed after treatment with E. coli extract and catechin. IL-12p70 level was only elevated in bladder tissue of the catechin group. Bladder instilled with LPS showed high inflammation scores for edema, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage in saline treated control mice. In contrast, E. coli extract and catechin treated mice exhibited mild inflammation with significant reduction of BII scores compared to controls. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that immunization using oral E. coli extract and green tea provides protection from inflammatory responses in a mouse model of LPS-induced cystitis.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Catechin ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Cystitis* ; Edema ; Escherichia coli* ; Escherichia* ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Immunization ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Inflammation ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Leukocytes ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Tea* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Urinary Bladder

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is a rare benign tumor of the sinonasal tract. Most NCMH has a benign nature and can be cured by complete resection. Only a few NCMH cases have been reported worldwide due to its rarity. Here, we report three cases of successfully treated NCMH, of which one case was diagnosed during preliminary ultrasound. All three cases were consistent with the benign symptoms of NCMH. Tumor in all of the cases were successfully treated through an endoscopic approach surgery and no evidence of aggressive recurrence was reported.

We have taken surveys about total 72 departments of radiation oncology which is performing the treatment with linear accelerator and brachytherapy unit in Korea. The survey was included the research about the linear accelerator, brachytherapy, Also, we surveyed the various performance (QA period, manpower, time) of quality control for understanding of efficiency. The survey results show that the QA test of daily and weekly are almost same comparing to USA and Europe but the QA performance of monthly and yearly in Korea are 15.5 which is less than USA and Europe recommended QA item number of 17 to 21. The manpower and QA time in Korea also lower than 50% of USA and Europe recommended because the manpower and QA time limitation in Korea. It will be expected that the manual of quality management in each clinic could be appropriately established when combining the present results with previously published AAPM TG-40 and other protocols.
Brachytherapy ; Europe ; Korea ; Particle Accelerators ; Quality Control ; Radiation Oncology