Little is known about the natural history and management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) which developed as a complication of laser photocoagulation for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). We experienced two patients with CNV which developed after laser treatment for CSC. Submacular membranectomy was performed on both cases after the confirmation of subretinal CNV with optical coherence tomography. One patient received photodynamic therapy for recurrent CNV. The vision of both patients has been improved over 6 months of follow up. These cases suggest that active intervention, including submacular surgery, improves the visual prognosis of this condition.
Adult ; Choroid Diseases/*surgery ; Choroidal Neovascularization/etiology/*surgery ; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological ; Female ; Human ; Interferometry ; Laser Coagulation/*adverse effects ; Light ; Male ; Retinal Diseases/*surgery ; Tomography ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Perfluorocarbon exposed sonicated dextrose albumin (PESDA) microbubbles has been suggested to facilitate thrombus disruption under the transcutaneous ultrasound (US). Thus, we investigated whether such a noninvasive approach could augment thrombolytic effect of fibrinolytic agent in an experimental thrombotic model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombus formation was induced with electrical injury in the rabbit iliofemoral arteries (n=20): Thrombus occlusion was documented by angiography in all arteries. In the control group, only tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA, 3 mg/kg) was administered intrav-enously in five rabbits. In the Group 1 (n=9), injured arteries were exposed to transcutaneous US (20 kHz, 30 W/cm2, continuous mode) with t-PA (3 mg/kg). In the Group 2 (n=6), the same treatment was given while administering PESDA continuously (10 ml/min, intravenous). Angiographic results were evaluated at 10 minute interval for 1 hour respectively. RESULTS: In the control group, two of five iliofemoral arteries (40.0%) were recanalized and one of nine iliofemoral arteries (11.1%) was recanalized in Group 1. In contrast, four of six iliofemoral arteries (66.7%) were recanalized angiographically in Group 2 (p=0.392 vs. control group: p=0.047 vs. Group 1). However, late reocclusion occurred in all iliofemoral arteries of Group 2. CONCLUSION: Although PESDA with transcutaneous US significantly enhanced initial angiographic patency rate of t-PA, it was associated with high rate of reocclusion. Further studies will be necessary for clinical application of this noninvasive method in acute arterial occlusion.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Glucose* ; Microbubbles ; Rabbits ; Thrombolytic Therapy* ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.
Scoliosis* ; Syringomyelia*

Diencephalic syndrome of infancy which is characterized by progressive and profound emaciation often with normal or accelerated skeletal growth, hyperkinesias, hypotension, and hypoglycemia. The profound emaciation so characteristic this syndrome has yet to be explained. The diencephalic syndrome is caused by low grade astrocytoma, ependymoma in the third ventricle including the hypothalamus. Authers report a case of diencephalic syndrome which was confirmed in this patient with ependymoma in the region of anterior hypothalamus by transcallosal approach.
Astrocytoma ; Emaciation ; Ependymoma ; Humans ; Hyperkinesis ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypotension ; Hypothalamus ; Hypothalamus, Anterior ; Third Ventricle

A majority of patients who sustain injuries to the peripheral sensory nerves of the face and jaws experience a slow but gradual return of sensation that is functional and tolerable, if not the same as before the injuries. However, long-term effects of such injuries are aggravating for many patients, and a few patients experience significant suffering. In some of these patients, posttraumatic symptoms become pathological and are painful. The predominant painful components are (1) numbing anesthesia dolorosa pain, (2) triggered neuralgiaform pain, (3) burning and aching causalgiaform pain, and (4) phantom pain. This is a case report of conservative management of traumatic neuralgia and neuritis as part of posttraumatic pain syndromes in geriatric patients who have undergone the teeth extraction and alveoloplasty.
Alveoloplasty* ; Anesthesia ; Burns ; Humans ; Jaw ; Neuralgia* ; Neuritis ; Phantom Limb ; Sensation ; Tooth Extraction ; Tooth*

No abstract available.
Lymphadenitis*

OBJECTIVE: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) shows relatively delayed responses to pharmacotherapy when compared to other anxiety disorders. Therefore, more effective early therapeutic decisions can be made if the therapeutic response is predictable as early as possible. We studied whether the therapeutic response at 12 weeks is predictable based on the early improvement with escitalopram at 1 week. METHODS: The subjects were 28 outpatients diagnosed with SAD. The subjects took 10-20 mg/day of escitalopram. The results of the Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale were evaluated at 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. Early improvement was defined as a ≥10% reduction in the LSAS total at 1 week of treatment, and endpoint response was defined as a ≥35% reduction in the LSAS total score. The correlation between clinical characteristics and therapeutic responses was analyzed by simple linear regression. The correlation between early improvement responses and endpoint responses was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: When we adjusted the influence of a ≥35% reduction in the LSAS total endpoint score on a ≥10% reduction of the LSAS total score at 1 week of treatment for the patients' age, the early improvement group at 1 week of treatment was expected to show stronger endpoint responses compared to the group with no early improvement. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a ≥10% reduction in the LSAS total score in a week can predict endpoint treatment response.
Anxiety Disorders* ; Anxiety* ; Citalopram* ; Depression ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Outpatients ; Phobic Disorders ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND: Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has been found to posses immunostimulatory activity. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to know whether this extract might activate mouse peritoneal macrophages to produce interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta). METHODS: Hemagglutination assay was carried out to examine whether M11C contained a lectin or not . To know the effect of M11C on the production of IL-1 beta, the macrophages were treated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated macrophages-conditioned media; MMCM). MMCM was analyzed for the IL-1 beta quantification and mRNA expression by means of ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Maximum effective dose and time of M11C on IL-1 beta production from macrophages were 20 micro gram/ml and 8 hours, respectively . This ELISA data was reconfirmed by immunoblotting assay . indicating that M11C is a good candidate for an immunomodulator. The dose and time dependent effect s of M11C on the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA from macrophages was also shown in expression of mRNA detected by RT-PCR. Treatment dose and time for the maximum expression of IL-1 beta mRNA were 20 micro gram/ml and 4 hours, respectively . Maximum gene expression of IL-1 beta was much earlier than maximum production of it. CONCLUSION: As results, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, may be used for an immunomodulator. This will be able to make up for and solve the problems caused by existent immunoagent with many adverse effects through many other studies in future including one molecule extraction.
Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Hemagglutination ; Immunoblotting ; Interleukin-1beta ; Macrophages* ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; RNA, Messenger

A cerebral infarction involving the nodulus usually produce contralateral lateropulsion and ipsilateral spontaneous nystagmus to the lesion. Here, we report a case of atypical isolated nodular infarction showed ipsilateral lateropulsion and contralateral spontaneous nystagmus to the lesion with a normal head impulse test. A right-handed 70-year-old man developed sudden vertigo with an unsteady gait. Neurologic examination revealed spontaneous left-beating nystagmus with a torsional component. He also displayed imbalance of walking and axial lateropulsion to the right side. Head impulse test was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated acute infarction in the right nodulus on diffusion-weighted images.
Cerebral Infarction ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic ; Head ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Examination ; Vertigo ; Vestibular Neuronitis ; Walking

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term anatomical and functional results of macular buckling for retinal detachment associated with a macular hole in high myopia. METHODS: Eleven consecutive highly myopic eyes with retinal detachment and macular holes were retrospectively studied between January 2002 and September 2010. All cases developed after pars plana vitrectomy for internal limiting membrane removal, for the treatment of retinal detachment associated with a macular hole, or vitreomacular traction with a macular hole. Macular buckling with an episcleral sponge was performed for all cases. The mean follow-up period after macular buckling was 45.1 months (range from 12 to 102 months). Retinal reattachment and macular hole closure after the surgery and best-corrected visual acuity before and after the surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: Nine out of 11 eyes were successfully treated with the macular buckling procedure. In the remaining 2 eyes, retinal re-detachment occurred with anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In these eyes, successful retinal attachment occurred after reoperation with silicone oil tamponade. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed after the surgery in 10 out of 11 eyes and the macular hole closure rate was 30%. The mean best corrected visual acuity went from counting fingers preoperatively to 0.06 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The macular buckling procedure is effective for retinal detachment associated with a macular hole in high myopia, especially following an unsuccessful pars plana vitrectomy with removal of inner retinal traction.
Eye ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Membranes ; Myopia ; Porifera ; Reoperation ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicone Oils ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Traction ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative