No abstract available.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Spinal Stenosis*

Choriocarcinoma associated with a normal pregnancy is rare. Futhermore, choriocarcinoma coexistent with a viable pregnancy is even rarer and associated with a greater risk of hepatic and cerebral involvement. So timely diagnosis of the disease is important for successful treatment and aggressive diagnostic procedures may therefore warranted. The patient should be treated with primary intensive combination chemotherapy(EMA-CO) and the selective use of irradiation and surgical therapy. We experienced a case of metastatic choriocarcinoma of lung and kidney following preterm delivery at 34th week of pregnancy and so present it with brief review of literature.
Choriocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lung ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy*

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidences from experimental studies indicate that apoptosis may be inversely related to angiogenesis in tumor progression. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To explore how apoptosis correlates with tumor angiogenesis, we measured the apoptotic index(AI) using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase method(Apop Tag In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit, ONCOR) and the intratumoral microvessel density using the anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody in non-small cell lung cancer. RESULT: Statistical analysis revealed an inverse correlation between AIs and intratumoral microvessel densities in squamous cell lung carcinoma(Spearman rank correlation coefficient r=- 0.229, p=0.047). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the amount of apoptosis in squamous cell lung carcinoma may be influenced by the extent of neovascularization. This suggests that tumor angiogenesis may contribute to a reduction of apoptosis in tumor cells.
Apoptosis* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Microvessels*

Captopril tablets of two different producers were tested for bioequivalence as well as therapeutic equivalence. The pharmacokinetics, the time course of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and the changes of systolic and diastolic blood pressure after administration of drugs were studied. In a balanced, randomized two-way crossover design, two single doses of 50mg each of captopril were administered orally to twelve male volunteers. Peak blood levels of free captopril were observed about 0.85 hour after the dose, and practically free captopril could not be detected in blood within 8 hours. Peak free captopril levels of both compounds were almost identical(Capoten(R), 464.3ng/ml ; Capril(R), 504.6ng/ml). No statistically significant difference was identified between two compounds when area und the concentration time curve, peak level, time to peak were compared. Inhibition of plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme to blood free captopril concentration showed the hyperbolic concentration-response relationship with IC50 value of 7.4ng/ml. The area under the percent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition versus time curve were quite similar after administration of both drugs. The compounds were also found to be equivalent on the premise that no significant difference was detected when the time courses of systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction were compared.
Biological Availability* ; Blood Pressure ; Captopril* ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Male ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma* ; Tablets* ; Therapeutic Equivalency ; Volunteers

We reported a case of hemolytic transfusion reaction that was related to multiple RBC antibodies such as anti-E, anti-M, anti-Jkb and anti-Lea after serial RBC transfusions. A forty-nine year old female visited the emergency room (ER) with hematochezia. She had previously received 16 units of packed RBCs from 2003 to Jan 2007 for her intermittent esophageal varix bleeding. No specific antibodies were identified before this visiting. At the ER, under the request for packed RBCs, we identified anti-E antibody within her serum. Her blood type was AB, RhD+ with the phenotype of CcDe. She received 5 units of E antigen negative RBCs. However, she showed hemolytic transfusion reactions such as mild fever with a decrease of hemoglobin from 11.4 g/dL to 6.8 g/dL after the transfusion. From the 8th to the 10th hospital day, another 3 units of E-antigen negative with the least incompatible RBCs were transfused to the patient, but the level of hemoglobin was not definitely increased. At the 14th hospital day, she received a final 2 units of leuko-reduced RBCs without E, M and Jkb antigens. Her hemoglobin was increased right after the final transfusion. We found that the patient's serum reacted with multiple RBC antibodies such as anti-E, anti-M, anti-Jkb and anti-Lea antibodies. She finally recovered from acute varix bleeding and was discharged on the 26th hospital day with the level of hemoglobin being 8.3 g/dL.
Antibodies ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; Emergencies ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Female ; Fever ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemoglobins ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Varicose Veins

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of 3T-TOF MR angiography (3T-TOF MRA) compared with transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and conventional angiography (CA) in patients with suspected cerebral infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty four patients with clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction were involved in this study, and had undergone 3T-TOF MRA and TCD, with CA in 11 patients. On the basis of divisions of the carotid artery, four groups were designated: group I, both vertebral arteries and basilar artery; group II, segment between 2 cm below bifurcation of common carotid artery and genu portion of internal carotid artery; group III, segment between petrous portion of internal carotid artery and bifurcation of anterior and middle cerebral artery; group IV, from bifurcation of anterior and middle cerebral artery to thier distal branches. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the vascular imaging and stenosis in 3T-TOF MRA, TCD, and CA. RESULTS: A total of 432 arteries, 108 in each group, were available. The assessment of vascular imaging quality in 3T-TOF MRA is scored 2.98, 2.96, 2.91, 2.88 in 4 groups, respectively. Agreement among 3TTOF MR angiography, TCD, and CA was high. CONCLUSION: 3T-TOF MR angiography may be useful method for the assessment of stenotic lesions of cranial vasculature in patients with cerebral infarction.
Angiography* ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial ; Vertebral Artery

OBJECTIVE: To report the method and efficacy of the site specific-defects repair in the endopelvic fascia and uterosacral ligament suspension for the correction of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. METHODS: This study was performed in 3 patients with posthyterectomy vaginal vault prolapse who underwent the surgery for the reconstruction of endopelvic fascia and the correction of vault prolapsed vagina by using uterosacral ligament suspension at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Moon-Hwa Hospital. Among them, 1 patient was treated by laparotomy, and 2 patients were treated by laparoscope. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 49 to 67 years. The mean operation time was 111 minutes (105-120 minutes). The status of postoperative vagina was normal in all 3 patients, who were discharged 9 days after operation without symptoms. No complication or recurrence were found in them despite long-term follow-up for 24 months, 12 months, 7 months, respectively after operation. One patient has been treated with HRT therapy. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of the defect of endopelvic fascia and uterosacral ligament fixation may be very safe, effective, and functional in the correction of vaginal vault prolapse. This study reports the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse using uterosacral ligament within Korea for the first time.
Fascia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopes ; Laparotomy ; Ligaments* ; Obstetrics ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Recurrence ; Vagina

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vascular rings refer to anomalies of the great arteries that cause respiratory or feeding problems. The purpose of this study was to analyze a series of patients with vascular rings and evaluate associated risk factors for mortality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients identified with vascular rings between 1997 and 2010 in the Seoul National University Children's Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were diagnosed with vascular rings (median age at diagnosis, 7 months). The vascular rings of 32 patients were confirmed by cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The types of vascular rings were: a double aortic arch in ten patients, a right aortic arch with persistent left ligamentum arteriosum in seven, an aberrant subclavian artery in seven, a pulmonary sling in eight, and others types in three patients. Eleven patients were asymptomatic. Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms were seen in ten and sixteen patients, respectively. Associated cardiovascular anomalies were present in fifteen patients. Twenty patients with definite symptoms underwent surgical treatment. The median interval between diagnosis and operation was 6 days. Four patients eventually died; three deaths were associated with complex heart diseases, and one had pulmonary artery sling with severe tracheal stenosis. Only the presence of a complex heart disease significantly influenced mortality (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Vascular rings include several types of anomalies, each with a different prognosis and symptoms. The presence of a complex heart disease was significantly associated with mortality. Early diagnosis and timely surgery in symptomatic patients are essential.
Aneurysm ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Deglutition Disorders ; Early Diagnosis ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Subclavian Artery ; Tracheal Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that fetal echocardiography (echoCG) is an accurate diagnostic tool reflecting well postnatal echoCG findings and outcomes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 290 pregnant women, including 313 fetuses, who were examined by fetal echoCG at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2008 through April 2011. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 26.2+/-5.2 weeks. The mean age of mothers at diagnosis was 31.7+/-3.8 years. We identified indications for fetal echoCG in 279 cases. The most common indication was abnormal cardiac findings in obstetrical screening sonography (52.0%). Among the 313 echoCG results, 127 (40.6%) were normal, 13 (4.2%) were minor abnormalities, 35 (11.2%) were simple cardiac anomalies, 50 (16.0%) were moderate cardiac anomalies, 60 (19.2%) were complex cardiac anomalies, 16 (5.1%) were arrhythmias, and 12 (3.8%) were twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The most common congenital heart disease was tetralogy of Fallot (23 fetuses, 15.9%). One hundred forty-eight neonates were examined by echoCG. We analyzed differences between fetal echoCG and postnatal echoCG. In 131 (88.5%) cases, there was no difference; in 15 (10.1%), there were minor differences; and in only 2 (1.4%) cases, there were major differences. CONCLUSION: There is a recent increase in abnormal cardiac findings of obstetric ultrasonography screenings that indicate fetal echoCG. Fetal echoCG is still a good, accurate diagnostic method for congenital heart disease.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Fetofetal Transfusion ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Endobrochial tuberculosis which may result in stenosis of the bronchus, is a rare complication of pulmonary tuberculosis in children. We recently treated three children with endobronchial tuberculosis which presented different clinical manifestations and different response to the treatments. Endoscopic examinations revealed bronchial masses, in which biopsy and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) were consistent with endobronchial tuberculosis. We reviewed the presentation and treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis in 3 children.
Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy* ; Child ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary