In order to compare the clinical results of Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty with Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis for corection of high myopia, the effects of the procedure on 9 patients(10eyes) following ALK and 14 patients(15 eyes) following LASIK who were followed up at least 6 months were analyzed retrospectively. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent(S.E) was -17.32D(-11.50D~-22.50D) in ALK group and -16.05D(-12.00D~-24.00D) in LASIK group, while mean postoperative S.E was -3.19D at 1 week, -3.50D at 1 month, -4.12D at 3 months, -3.83D at 6 months in ALK group and +2.10D at 1 week, 0.70D at 1 months, -0.10D at 3 months, -0.58D at 6 months in LASIK group. Mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.03 in ALK group and 0.04 in LASIK group. At postoperative 6 months, mean uncorrected visual acuity was improved to 0.18 in ALK group and 0.52 in LASIK group. The percentages of patients achieving correction within +/-1.00D at 6 months were 20% in ALK group and 47% in LASIK group. Postoperative cylindrical change was not significant in each group(p>0.05) and also best corrected visual acuity did not show statiscally significant changes in each group(p>0.05). The complications included folds of corneal flap, increased IOP, night halo, and corneal haze. In conclusion, ALK, when performed for high myopia with Ruiz normogram, resulted in undercorrection. LASIK seems to be much more predictable and accurate than ALK in high myopia.
Corneal Transplantation* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Myopia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Extraembryonic Membranes* ; Placenta*

A clinical observation was made on 50 cases of undescended testes of the in-patient in the Department of Urology, Capital Armed Forces General Hospital during the period from January, 1977 to December, 1976. The results were as follows: 1) Age distribution varies from 3 to 32 years and 21 cases (42%) were between 21 and 25 years old 2) Bilateral undescended testes were found in 7 cases, right in 28 cases and left in 15 cases 3) Of the 67 undescended testes, most popular location was inguinal type in 39 testes (68.4%) 4) Hormonal therapy was done on 8 cases (15 testes) but only 2 cases of bilateral type responded with partial descent. 5) Orchiopexy was performed on 35 testes (61. 4%), orchiectomy on 21 testes (36.8%) and 1 case (1.8%) was confirmed as monorchism on exploration. 6) Of the several methods of orchiopexy, dartos pouch method revealed high success rate (88. 5%). 7) In the histopathologic findings of testicular biopsies, there were presented numerous spermatogonia, not shown degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules, basement membrane and stroma, up to the age of 5, there were spermatogonia occasionally, atrophic findings of seminiferous tubules, thickening of basement membrane and widening of stroma.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Arm ; Basement Membrane ; Biopsy ; Cryptorchidism* ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Orchiopexy ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatogonia ; Testis ; Urology

Both sodium fluorescein[FL] and indocyanine green[ICG] were used for fundus angiography. Recently, these were also used during cataract surgery for enhancement of capsular visualization in white mature or hypermature cataract. So, ICG and FL may influence corneal endothelial function if left in anterior chamber. To evaluate the effect of intracameral FL or ICG on corneal endothelial function, rabbit corneas were isolated &mounted in the in-vitro specular microscope for endothelial perfusion. Experimental corneas were perfused with different concentrations of FL or ICG. Control corneas were perfused with glutathione-bicarbonate Ringer solution[GBR]. Corneal thickness was measured every 15 minutes during the perfusion and corneal swelling rates were calculated. Corneal endothelial permeability[Pa c] was measured according to the method of Watsky et al. The corneas perfused with FL, 2.5% deswelled probably due to high osmolarity. Swelling rates of corneas perfused with 1% and 0.5% FL did not differ significantly from control[p>0.05]. The corneas perfused with 0.01%, 0.005%, 0.002%, and 0.001% ICG swelled significantly[p<0.05], while swelling rates of the corneas with 0.0005%, and 0.0001% ICG did not differ from control[p>0.05]. Pa c in corneas perfused with ICG, 0.005% increased markedly compared to control while corneas perfused with FL, 1% showed decreased permeability. The results of this study showed that FL did not affect endothelial function of rabbit cornea in relatively high concentrations while ICG affected endothelial function even in lower concentrations. With respect to clinical use of intracameral ICG, close attention must be paid.
Angiography ; Anterior Chamber ; Cataract ; Cornea ; Fluorescein* ; Indocyanine Green* ; Osmolar Concentration ; Perfusion ; Permeability ; Sodium

To investigate the factors affecting the visual outcome after otherwise successful retinal reattachment surgery in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving macula, we performed a retrospective surgvey on 170 eyes encountered properly for this study. Preoperative variables used in this series included age of patients, duration of macular detachment, preoperative visual acuity, extent of detached retina, distance between breaks, and number, shape and location of breaks. We achieved visual acuities of 20/50 or better in 49% (83 of 170 eyes) after retinal reattachment surgery. Factors related to the favorable visual outcome (20/50 or better) were macular detachment lasting less than one month, preoperative visual acuities of 20/200 or better, extent of retinal detachment of 3Q or less, and detachment with tears located at or anterior to the equator. There was no relationship between the visual outcome and the type and the number of the breaks. Of all these variables, preoperative visual acuity has the closest correlation with the final visual results after anatomically successful reattachment surgery.
Humans ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The diuretic renal scan has been considered to be a good tool for evaluating the postoperative renal function in the patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the renogram, the serial renal scan and the diuretic half time according to the differential renal function (DRF) on the diuretic renal scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the diuretic renal scans of 27 pediatric patients (25 males and 2 females) who underwent pyeloplasty due to unilateral UPJO. Diuretic renal scanning was done using the 99mTc- DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) standardized protocol. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the renogram, the serial renal scan and the diuretic half time according to the DRF (group I: above 40%, group II: below 40%). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.0 59.2 months (range: 2-210 months). The diuretic half time, renogram, serial renal scan and each combination demonstrated statistical significance for the interpretation of ureteral obstruction (generalized estimation equation, p=0.003). The interpretation of the diuretic renal scan was not affected by the DRF (McNemar test, p=0.598). The false positive rate and specificity of the renogram, serial renal scan and diuretic half time were 22.2%, 29.6%, 59.3% and 77.8%, 70.4%, 40.7%, respectively. In addition, the false positive rate and specificity of a combination of the diuretic half time and renogram, the diuretic half time and serial renal scan, the renogram and serial renal scan, the diuretic half time and renogram, and serial renal scan were 22.2%, 25.9%, 14.8%, 14.8%, and 77.8%, 74.1%, 85.2%, 85.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diuretic half time, renogram and serial renal scan were individually correlated with the postoperative status of the UPJO. However, a combination of various factors of the renal scan should be considered for evaluating the postoperative status of UPJO.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pentetic Acid* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ureteral Obstruction

New Cervicography, a Pap smear adjunct test, is an innovative cervical cancer surveillance system. It is a relatively new technique in which a photograph of the cervix is obtained without the aid of colposcope after application of 5% acetic acid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of New Cervicography in diagnosis of cervical cancer. Pap smear and cervicogram data were obtained from 143 patients who visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungnam National University Hospital from September 1996 to May 1997. Histologic specimens were obtained from patients in whom abnormalities were detected by either Pap smear or cervicogram. Specimens were taken either by colposcopically directed biopsy or large loop excision af the transformation zone. (continue)
Acetic Acid ; Biopsy ; Cervix Uteri ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Colposcopes ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Obstetrics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

Our aim was to identify histologic changes in cervical carcinoma tumor cells due to chemotherapy,by electron microscopic examination. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were used between March 1, 1994 and February 28, 1995 on a total of 16 patients. The treatment schedule consisted of 75 mg/m2 cisplatin via iv with hyperhydration on Day 1, in combination with 1000 mg/m2 5-fluorouracil via continuous iv on Day 1 to 5. The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks with a maxinum of 3 courses. Ultrastructurally, chemotherapy induced apoptosis,indicated by condensation of nucleus and cytoplasm,fragmentation of nuclei, and apoptotic bodies. Due to repeat chemotherapy, increased levels of desmosomes were noted and parts of tumor nests were replaced by mature squamous cells. Tumor nests were reduced in size, mitochondria exhibited swelling, the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated, and infiltration of inflammatory cells increased after chemotherapy. These results suggest that chemotherapy induces apoptosis and injury to the cytoplasm and nuclei of tumor cells. However, the exact selection mechanism of the biochemical pathway of cell death is not fuUy understood. Further study of the molecular biologic actions of cell death after chemotherapy is warranted.
Apoptosis ; Appointments and Schedules ; Cell Death ; Cisplatin ; Cytoplasm ; Desmosomes ; Drug Therapy* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Mitochondrial Size

Doxorubicin(Adriamycin(R)) is effective in the treatment of various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Because of dose-related cardiotoxicity, however, early inappropriate discontinuation of doxorubicin therapy may minimize its therapeutic efficacy in many patients. Consequently, clinically sensitive tests are needed to select patients in whom treatment must be stopped early. Various techniques have been used for early detection of subclinical doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, including electrocardiography, systolic time intervals, echocardiography, radionuclide angiography and endomyocardial biopsies. Most studies of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity have dealt with systolic function of the left ventricle and effects on diastolic function have not been reported. In order to determine whether impaired diastolic function may be an early sign of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, a retrospective study was performed in 12 patients who had undergone serial radioangiography and were found to have left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF)> or =55% prior to doxorubicin treatment and during follow-up. Average rapid filling velocity(RFV) and slow filling velocity(SFV) were both significantly reduced after doxorubicin treatment. RFV fell from 5.17+/-1.52 units/second to 4.18+/-0.96(P<0.01) and SFV fell from 2.20+/-1.32 units/second to 1.42+/-0.62(P<0.05). There were no significant changes in filling volume ratio, total diastolic time and diastolic time ratio. Since a change in left ventricular diastolic function can occur before ejection fraction falls to subnormal levels, diastolic function as well as systolic function should be examined in the early detection of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.
Biopsy ; Doxorubicin* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Radionuclide Angiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Systole

After Neodynium(Nd)-YAG laser photodisruption for vitreous floaters which were annoying the central visual field in 28 patients(28 eyes), we evaluated the efficacy of the procedure and the satisfaction degree of patients. Vitreous floaters were not recognized in 46 percents(13 eyes) of the patients, stayed away from the central visual field in 32 percents of the patients(9 eyes). Broken opacities were moved to retina in 22 percents(6 eyes) after treatment. In satisfaction degree of patients, 64 percents of the patients(18 eyes) were completely satisfied, 25 percents of them(7 eyes) were fairly satisfied, and 11 percents of them(3 eyes) were not satisfied at all. Complaints of unsatisfied patients were persisting floaters in 5 eyes, increased number of the floaters in 3 eyes and central visual field disturbance in 2 eyes. The responsible factors for failure in treatment were the size of the floaters larger than 2/3 disc diameter(DD), their locations closer than 2DD from retinal surface and their peripheral locations. Complications included the fragment shifting to posterior central zone in 2 eyes and the chorioretinal damage in 2 eyes. Our results suggest that Nd-YAG laser photodisruption seems to be useful on the discrete vitreous floaters less than 1/3DD in size and apart from retinal surface more than 2DD.
Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Fields