No abstract availalbe
Hepatitis Viruses* ; Hepatitis* ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver*

Pancreatic ductal rupture can be an elusive diagnosis. The early signs and symptoms are often vague, and when it goes unnoticed, ductal rupture results in inceased morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, no diagnoatic test has proven reliable in its timely detection. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is routinely utilized to visualize the anatomy of the pancreatic duct in elective situation. But the utilization of emergent ERCP will allow detection of pancreatic rupture in clincal settings where surgery might not otherwise have been prompted by complications. In addition, present, timely visualization of the pancreatic duct will permit intelligent planning for pancreatic sugery. Recently, we experienced a case of 36-year-old female who had upper abdominal blunt trauma with heavy iron. Her serum amylase was high but the physical examination was vague. Emergent ERCP was performed and it revealed dye leak from rurptured pancreatic duct at tail portion of pancreas. Emergent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was successfully performed. So we report this case with a review of literatures.
Adult ; Amylases ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; Mortality ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Physical Examination ; Rupture ; Splenectomy

So called pseudosarcoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare polypoid malignant tumor and a number of cases, totaling 19 cases have been reported in world literatures until 1985. The presenting case is an unique one of pseudosarcoma of the esophagus and we illustrated all microscopic features with mapping, immunoperoxidase stain for cytokeratin and electron microscopic findings to clarify the histogenesis of spindle cells. It is postulated that the spindle cells of pseudosarcoma are transformed from squamous carcinoma cells based on (1) morphological similarity between squamous epithelial cells and spindle cells, (2) positive reaction of immunoperoxidase staining for cytokeratin in the adjacent normal esophageal mucosa, squamous cell carcinoma, spindle cells and giant cells and (3) presence of transformation zone.

Through the whole history of medicine, there runs a long struggle between two principal tendencies-empiricism and rationalism. The empirical trend lays its emphasis on "experience" for the cure of the sick. The rationalistic trend lays its main emphasis on "mechanism" for the causes of diseases. The term "evidence-based medicine (EBM) ", defined as "the conscious, explicit and judicious use of the best current evidence in making decisions about the individual patients", was introduced about ten years ago. The proponents has been described EBM as a "paradigm shift" that will change medical practice in the years ahead. But there has been considerable debate about the value of EBM. The modern medicine, following philosophy of modern science such as the 'realism controlled by empiricism', has developed biomedical model. But the EBM wrapped with clinical epidemiology and statistics, represents response of empiricism to the rationalism (realism). The roots of EBM extend back at least as far as the Paris clinical school, and the work of Pierre Louis in Paris in the early 19th century. Is EBM a paradigm shift? To answer this question, We have to specify the alternative with which we are comparing EBM. The alternative to EBM is the basic science approach: studying the pathophysiolological mechanism of the body. But EBM is so clearly intertwined with and complementary to the basic science that it would make little sense to see EBM as a paradigm shift away from basic science. In a sense, evidence-based medicine shows only methodological contribution aimed at improving the gathering and sorting of the best information published by biomedical scientists and clinical epidemiologists for use in clinical practice. Although EBM and the traditional medicine embody different approaches, this does not mean that they are competitors. In fact, the two approach need each; neither can stand alone for the development of clinical practice.
English Abstract ; Evidence-Based Medicine/*history ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Philosophy, Medical/*history

Brunner's gland adenoma(or Brunneroma) is clinically relevant tumor-like lesion of the duodenum which is composed of submucosal Brunner's gland tissue. Since the first case by autopsy was described by Cruveihier in l935, there have been less than 190 reports in the world literature, Brunner's gland adenoma is an extremely rare entity that accounts for only 10.6% of benign duodenal tumors, which are themselves relatively rare representing 0.008% of all surgical and autopsy specimens. The clinical manifestation of this tumor are non-specific gastrointestinal complaints, such as bloating or epigastric pain, and tumor often gives rise to melena or obstruction, It is postulated that this tumor are hamartomas rather than true neoplasm. However, they undergo rarely malignant transformation. We report on a case of a large pedunculated Brunner's gland adenoma, which was successfully polypectomized.
Adenoma* ; Autopsy ; Duodenum ; Hamartoma ; Melena

Brunner's gland adenoma(or Brunneroma) is clinically relevant tumor-like lesion of the duodenum which is composed of submucosal Brunner's gland tissue. Since the first case by autopsy was described by Cruveihier in l935, there have been less than 190 reports in the world literature, Brunner's gland adenoma is an extremely rare entity that accounts for only 10.6% of benign duodenal tumors, which are themselves relatively rare representing 0.008% of all surgical and autopsy specimens. The clinical manifestation of this tumor are non-specific gastrointestinal complaints, such as bloating or epigastric pain, and tumor often gives rise to melena or obstruction, It is postulated that this tumor are hamartomas rather than true neoplasm. However, they undergo rarely malignant transformation. We report on a case of a large pedunculated Brunner's gland adenoma, which was successfully polypectomized.
Adenoma* ; Autopsy ; Duodenum ; Hamartoma ; Melena

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the experiences of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) among nurses. METHODS: Data were collected by in-depth interviews with 8 nurses in 8 different hospitals. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Eight major themes emerged from the analysis: DNR decision-making bypassing the patient, inefficiency in the decision-making process of DNR, negative connotation of DNR, predominance of verbal DNR over written DNR, doubts and confusion about DNR, least amount of intervention in the decision for DNR change of focus in the care of the patient after a DNR order, and care burden of patients with DNR. Decision-making of DNR occurred between physicians and family members, not the patients themselves. Often high medical expenses were involved in choosing DNR, thus if choosing DNR it was implied the family members and health professionals as well did not try their best to help the patient. Verbal DNR permission was more popular in clinical settings. Most nurses felt guilty and depressed about the dying/death of patients with DNR. CONCLUSION: Clearer guidelines on DNR, which reflect a family-oriented culture, need to be established to reduce confusion and to promote involvement in the decision-making process of DNR among nurses.
Adult ; Attitude to Death ; Critical Care ; Decision Making ; Family/psychology ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Nursing Staff, Hospital/*psychology ; Professional-Family Relations ; *Resuscitation Orders/psychology ; Social Support ; Tape Recording

PURPOSE: To assess relative diagnostic value of Ga-67 planar, Ga-67 SPECT, and CT images for detection of head and neck tumors and cervical lymph node metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty eight patients of pathologically proven head and neck tumors including squamous cell carcinomas(n=32), malignant lymphomas(n=3), undifferentiated carcinomas(n=2), adenocarcinomas(n=l) were enrolled in this study. Ga-67 planar and SPECT images were obtained with intravenous injection of 5mCi of Ga-67 citrate. On the basis of 30 and 20 mm in the greatest diameter of cervical lymph nodes, we compared lesion detectability of Ga-67 planar, SPECT, and CT. RESULTS: Thirty eight cases of head and neck tumors were detected in 29 cases(76.3%) with Ga-67 planar image, 37 cases(97.3%) with Ga-67 SPECT, and 32 cases(84.2%) with CT. 25 of 32 squamous cell carcinomas were positive with Ga-67 planar image and all of 32 cases with Ga-67 SPECT. Both of two undifferentiated carcinomas were positive with Ga-67 planar and SPECT images. Two of three malignant lymphomas were positive with Ga-67 planar image and all of three with Ga-67 SPECT. Eight of nine tumors were negative with Ga-67 planar image and those were less than 30ram. One case of adenocarcinoma was negative with Ga-67 planar and SPECT images. Seven of nine lymph nodes greater than 30mm were positive with Ga-67 planar image and all of nine with Ga-67 SPECT. On the basis of 20mm in greatest diameter, 16 of 21 lymph nodes greater than 20 mm were positive with Ga-67 planar and SPECT images. CONCLUSION: CT providing better resolution than Ga-67 scan permitted analysis of size and location of metastatic cervical nodes, however primary tumors of oral cavity, vocal cord, and nasopharynx were often not detected on CT when metallic and motion artifacts were present, where Ga-67 SPECT was useful. Ga-67 SPECT enabled better anatomical localization than Ga-67 planar image and was useful in detection of lymph nodes greater than 30 mm.
Adenocarcinoma ; Artifacts ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Citric Acid ; Head* ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Mouth ; Nasopharynx ; Neck* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Vocal Cords

PURPOSE: To investigate the prognostic factors and effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy alone for endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty four patients with stage I-III endometrial cancer (EC) treated with postoperative radiotherapy alone between January 1989 and December 2008 at the Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center were chosen for the present study. Typically, total hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed on the patient's pelvis. Total dose from 50.4 Gy to 63 Gy was irradiated at pelvis or extended field. Thirteen patients were treated with Co-60 or Ir-192 intracavitary radiotherapy. Follow-up periods were from 7 to 270 months, with a median of 56 months. RESULTS: Five year overall survival (OS) rate was 58.7%, respectively. Five year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 59.2%, respectively. In univariate analysis for OS and DFS, stage, menopausal age, type of operation, serosal invasion, and lymph node involvement were found to be statistically significant. Histologic type was marginally significant. In multivariate analysis for OS and DFS, stage, types of operation, histologic type were also found to be statistically significant. Treatment failure occurred in 14 patients. The main pattern of failure was found to be distant metastasis. Time to distant metastasis was from 3 to 86 months (median, 12 months). There were no grade 3 or 4 complications. CONCLUSION: Stage, types of operation, and histologic type could be the predictive prognostic factors in patients. We contemplated postoperative radiation as effective and safe treatment method for EC. Additional treatment would be needed to reduce distant metastasis.
Disease-Free Survival ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Menopause ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pelvis ; Postoperative Care ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Treatment Failure

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Therapies involving bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have considerable potential in the management of hepatic disease. BM-MSCs have been investigated in regenerative medicine due to their ability to secrete various growth factors and cytokines that regress hepatic fibrosis and enhance hepatocyte functionality. The aim of this study was to determine the antifibrosis effect of BM-MSCs on activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the mechanism underlying how BM-MSCs modulate the function of activated HSCs. METHODS: We used HSCs in both direct and indirect co-culture systems with BM-MSCs to evaluate the antifibrosis effect of BM-MSCs. The cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated by a direct co-culture system of activated HSCs with BM-MSCs. The activations of both HSCs alone and HSCs with BM-MSCs in the direct co-culture system were observed by immunocytochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). The levels of growth factors and cytokines were evaluated by an indirect co-culture system of activated HSCs with BM-MSCs. RESULTS: The BM-MSCs in the direct co-culture system significantly decreased the production of alpha-SMA and the viability of activated HSCs, whereas they induced the apoptosis of activated HSCs. The BM-MSCs in the indirect co-culture system decreased the production of transforming growth factor-beta1 and interleukin (IL)-6, whereas they increased the production of hepatocyte growth factor and IL-10. These results confirmed that the juxtacrine and paracrine effects of BM-MSCs can inhibit the proliferative, fibrogenic function of activated HSCs and have the potential to reverse the fibrotic process by inhibiting the production of alpha-SMA and inducing the apoptosis of HSCs. CONCLUSIONS: These results have demonstrated that BM-MSCs may exert an antifibrosis effect by modulating the function of activated HSCs.
Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells/*cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Coculture Techniques ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor/metabolism ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; Interleukin-6/metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/*cytology/metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism