This study was undertaken to investigate to compare the ratio of positive reactions to benzoic acid(BA), sorbic acid(SA) and cinnamic acid(CA) which are well known materials producing non-immunologic contact urticaria. Various concentrations(0.l% to 5%) and different vehicles(petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base) were used in open and 20 minutes closed test using Finn chamber on Scanpor tape. One hundred total subjects were consisted of nonallergic patients and normal persons. The results were as follows ; 1. Total numbers of positive reactions were 69 in closed test(CT) and 60 in open test(OT), regardless of the materials and vehicles. 2. Total riumbers of positive reactions in BA, SA and CA were 68, 31, 35 in CT and 59, 20, 14 in OT respectably. 3. CT showed much more positive reactions than OT with all materials tested except 0.l% SA in water. 4. Hydrophilic ointment base showed a better reactivity than any other vehicles in CT. But in OT, petrolatum, water, hydrophilic ointment base showed better reactivity in BA, SA, CA respectably. 5. Almost all the reactions appeared within 45 minutes and disappeared within 3 hours. Erythema preceded edema and persisted 30 minutes to 1 hour after dissappearance of edema. 6 Itching, burning and tingling sensation were the only symptoms observed except. localized erythema and edema.
Benzoic Acid ; Burns ; Edema ; Erythema ; Humans ; Petrolatum ; Pruritus ; Sensation ; Sorbic Acid ; Urticaria* ; Water

BACKGROUND: Interferon alpha-2a has already been shown to be effective in clinical use of virus-originated diseases such as hairy cell leukemia, condyloma acuminatum, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. The use of recombinant alpha-interferon may allow common warts to be treated relatively atraumatically and with less incidence of recurrence. OBJECTIVE: We tried to determine the safety and effectiveness of intralesional injections of recombinant alpha-2a interferon in the treatment of patients with common warts. METHODS: A single wart on each patient was weekly injected with 0.75 to 1.5×10(5) IU/25mm2 of interferon for 8 weeks, and the response to treatment was followed up-to 6 months. RESULTS: Clearing of the treated wart at the end of treatment occurred in 5(71%) out of 7 patients and the rest showed no improvement. With evaluation for relapses up-to 6 months after treatment, warts relapsed in 2(40%) out of 5 patients. Therefore, 3(43%) out of 7 patients were completely free of warts 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Intralesional recombinant interferon alpha-2a has a limited therapeutic effect, but may be considered as a therapeutic modality of recalcitrant verruca or when it can be anticipated that destructive techniques or blistering agents will not be tolerated.
Blister ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intralesional ; Interferon-alpha ; Interferons* ; Leukemia, Hairy Cell ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma, Kaposi ; Warts*

BACKGROUND: Because the propofol TCI software commands the syringe pump to deliver a rapid infusion at a rate of 1200 ml/hr until the pharmacokinetic model predicts that the selected target concentration has been reached, the hemodynamic changes are predicted. To this change, several methods could be considered and the fentanyl injection is one of them. METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery were randomly alldegrees Cated into four groups according to amount of fentanyl injected during induction period(group 1: no fentanyl, group 2: 0.75 microgram/kg, group 3: 1.5 microgram/kg, group 4: 3.0 microgram/kg). Target plasma concentration of propofol was selected as 4.0 microgram/ml and this concentration was achieved using modification of Prys-Roberts method. We evaluated the hemodynamic effect of various doses of fentanyl that injected at Vdpeak effect time and determined the optimal dose of fentanyl during propofol induction using TCI mode. RESULTS: Induction dose(range: 1.25~1.31 mg/kg) of propofol and induction time(range: 46~76 sec) showed no difference among groups. Use of fentanyl was effective for blood pressure stability immediately after intubation, but not effective before and 3 min following intubation. The higher the dosage of fentanyl, the more stable the heart rate. CONCLUSION: It suggest that use of fentanyl for the prevention of abrupt hemodynamic change during propofol induction using target controlled infusion mode is not necessary.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Orthopedics ; Plasma ; Propofol* ; Syringes

We report a case of Becker's nevus associated with smooth muscle hamartoma, in a 21-year-old male patient, which shows clinically match-head sized, flat topped, round to oval, grouped papules with hairs on the outer surface of the right arm, and microscopically reveals numerous bundles of smooth muscle fiber in the dermis.
Arm ; Dermis ; Hair ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Nevus* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Humans ; Incidence* ; Infant* ; Resuscitation*

BACKGROUND: Propofol is a widely used hypnotic, however hyperlipidemia is one of the disadvantages caused by its formulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) and triglycerides during general anesthesia with propofol using a target controlled infusion. METHODS: With Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, thirty premedicated (atropine 0.5 mg, I.M) adult patients (ASA class I or II, 18 - 55 yrs) scheduled for elective surgery were studied. A TCI of propofol was started at a target concentration of 6.0ng/ml. After intubation with the aid of vecuronium (0.15 mg/kg), anesthesia was maintained with propofol in combination with 67% N2O and 33% O2. Blood was sampled from the median cubital vein for total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol, and triglycerides at 0, 1, and 2 hours during anesthesia, the end of surgery, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after anesthesia. RESULTS: At 1 and 2 hours, and the end of surgery, triglyceride concentrations showed a significant increase compared to the control (P < 0.05), however it declined steeply to normal range during the next 24 hours. The total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were within a normal range throughout the study period. There was a correlation between triglyceride concentrations (peak triglyceride concentration-control triglyceride concentration) and amount of infused propofol (Spearman's r = 0.42, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because the infusion of propofol during anesthesia results in a significant increase in triglyceride concentrations, we should consider checking the triglyceride concentrations intermittently in critically ill patients who receive propofol. However, propofol may be safe to healthy patient for general anesthesia.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Cholesterol ; Critical Illness ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Informed Consent ; Intubation ; Lipoproteins ; Propofol* ; Reference Values ; Triglycerides ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Veins

PURPOSE: We applied lateral lithotomy position to the severe ureteral stricture cases supposed to fail with only retrograde approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 1997 to April 1999, 13 patients with severe ureteral stricture (lenghth>2cm or complete obstruction) supposed to fail with only retrograde approach and one patient with study. The causes of ureteral strictures were pelvic malignancy in 5, tuberculosis in 4, trauma in 2 and others in 2. The patient's ipsilateral shoulder was rotated and fixed like lateral position. And ipsilateral pelvis was elevated with sandbag or pad and rotated about 45 degrees, too. The retrograde approach was tried at first, if fail, antegrade approach was combined. RESULTS: We could insert ureteral stent via retrograde approach only in 3 patients and we needed aid of antegrade approach for passage through ureteral stricture in the other 11 patients (79%). Percutaneous antegrade approaches were combined in those 11 patients and we could pass the guide wire and indwell the stent in 10 of 11 patients (91%) using this position. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral lithotomy position was very helpful to the simultaneous retrograde and antegrade approach in severe fibrotic or malignant ureteral strictures.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Pelvis ; Shoulder ; Stents ; Tuberculosis ; Ureter*

BACKGROUND: The regurgitative valvular heart diseases are important underlying diseases that result in congestive heart failure, and the prevalence increase with the increasing age. Early detection and management of the regurgitative valvular heart disease could decrease the morbidity and mortality rate of the elderly. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 425 patients who visited KonKuk University Medical Center ChungJu Hospital for the echocardiography between April 1994 to September 2000. 281 out of 425 patients were diagnosed with regurgitative valvular heart disease, and they were analyzed according to their age, sex, underlying disease, and accompaniment of congestive heart failure. Also the relationships between the regurgitative valvular heart disease and fractional shortening(FS), and also with ejection fraction(EP) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 281 patients diagnosed with regurgitative valvular heart disease. Greatest number of patients was diagnosed with MR, followed by AR, TR and PR, accordingly. The prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease increased as the age increased. The prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease in male patients were 74% and for female patients, 62%. For patients with hypertension, it was 59%, and for DM patients it was 60%. For patients with past history of ischemic heart disease, or congestive heart failure, the prevalences of regurgitative valvular heart disease were high. FS for the patients with regurgitative valvular heart disease was 28.91% compared 32.69% for the patients without regurgitative valvular heart disease. EF for the patients with regurgitative valvular heart disease was 54% compared to the 60% for without regurgitative valvular heart disease. The FS for patients with symptomatic regurgitative valvular heart disease was 23.86% compared to 27.7% for asymptomatic group. The EF for symptomatic regurgitative valvular heart disease was 46.2% compared to 52.3% for asymptomatic group. CONCLUSION: When 2D-echocardiography was performed on elderly patients who were older than 65 years of age, most of them featured degenerative structural changes in valves and deterioration of valvular functions resulting in regurgitative valvular heart disease. When patients had any symptoms or underlying diseases, the decrease in cardiac function and high prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease were apparent. Therefore in elderly patients, even if they are asymptomatic or without any underlying diseases, aggressive diagnostic approaches and early intervention may delay the progress of valvular heart disease.
Academic Medical Centers ; Aged* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Heart Valve Diseases* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prevalence

No abstract available.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Sputum*

A 62 year old man had skin eruptions, general weakness, swallowing difficulty, and fever for 3 months. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis was established on the bases of clinical manifestations, muscle enzyrne study, electromyogram and histopathological findings of skin and muscle. Borrman type g stomach cancer was found by gastroendoscopy and computed tomography. He refused surgical operation for stomach cancer and died 2 months later.
Deglutition ; Dermatomyositis* ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*