The treatment of Achilles tendon rupture is controversial between surgical repair and conservative cast treatment. This study was attempted to compare the biomechanical and morphological results between operative and nonoperative treatments of experimentally tenotomized rabbit Achilles tendon with the lapse of time. A total of 72 adult rabbits were used. After tenotomizing the Achilles tendons, the subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the time of the initiation of the treatment and each group was subdivided into 2 further subgroups according to the method of treatment; immediate operation and nonoperation, 1 week delayed operation and nonoperation, and 2 weeks delayed operation and nonoperation subgroups. Ten animals from each subgroup were sacrificed after four weeks of cast immobilization and the Achilles tendons were prepared for the gross, biomechanical and histological examinations. At the same time, two animals from each subgroup were examined by Microfil perfusion for microvascular changes in the healed tendons. On biomechanical examination, maximal loads were decreased with the lapse of time in each treatment method, and there were statistical significances between the immediate and 2 weeks delayed operation subgroups, 1 week and 2 weeks delayed operation subgroups, and immediate and 2 weeks delayed nonoperation subgroups. A maximal loads were higher in the operative treatment of each group but there was no statistical significances between operative and nonoperative treatment of each group. The results of absorption energy and stiffness were similar to those of maximal load. In conclusion, these results suggest that a rupture of the Achilles tendon should be treated as early as possible preferably within 1 week, in order to achieve a high tensile strength irrespective of the treatment method. In terms of rerupture, nonoperative treatment is comparable with surgical treatment if a rupture of Achilles tendon is managed within 2 weeks of injury.
Absorption ; Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Animals ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Methods ; Perfusion ; Rabbits ; Rupture ; Silicone Elastomers ; Tendons ; Tensile Strength

Leiomyosarcoma of small intestine is an uncommon tumor, comprising less than 20 percent of all primary malignant tumors of small intestine. Duodenal leiomyosarcoma is rare disease which amount to about 20 percent of all small bowel malignancy but potentially curable tumors often diagnosed at an advanced age, so its five-year survival following resection approximates 50% in reported series. Recently, several cases of leiomyosarcomas of duodenum were diagnosed by hypotonic duodenograhy in Korea. We experienced a woman with duodenal leiomyosarcoma that was diagnosed by endoscopic duodenal biopsy and received currative resection of the tumor(Whipple's operation). We report the case with review of the literatures.
Biopsy ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Korea ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Rare Diseases

This survey was done on 79 out-patients in order to investigate the present status of cutaneous candidiasis in clinical and mycological aspects in dermatologic clinic of Korea University Hospital from January, 1982 to July1983. Among the 79 specimens, 56 strains of candida species were identified by KOli mount, Sabourauds dextrose agar culture, sugar assimilation test, sugar fermentation test a.nd corn meal agar with Tween 80 culture. Following results were obtained. 1. The incidence of cutaneous candiasis was l. 6A (79 cases among 4, 963 outpatients). 2. The cutaneous candidiasis was more frequent in fcmale than in male(1: 1. 7) 3. The cutaneous candidiasis had its highest in.cidence during first decade (45 .6%). 4 Candidal intertrigo was the commonest type of the infection (51. 9%,) 5. Thrush, diaper candidiasis and candidal intertrigo were common during first. decade, and candidal paronychia and candidal onychia were common during third decade. 6, Positive rate on KOH mount was 60. 8% Nail (38. 5%) and periungal area (42.9%) should low positive rate. 7. Positive culture rate on Sabourauds dextrose agar of Candida species was 70. 9% (56 cases). 8 Candida species isolated from cutaneous lesions were Candida albicans (52 case) and Candida trapicalis(2 cases). Two species could not be identified.
Agar ; Candida ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis ; Candidiasis, Cutaneous* ; Candidiasis, Oral ; Fermentation ; Glucose ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intertrigo ; Korea ; Meals ; Outpatients ; Paronychia ; Polysorbates ; Zea mays

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which most frequently affects the sacro-iliac joints of young men, and also the synovial joints of the whole spine. Bony fusion of these joints and ossification along the longitudinal ligaments lead to total immobility of the vertebrae. Sixty-two cases of ankylosing spondylitis treated at the Severance Hospital from June 1980 to June 1986 were analysed clinically and the followings were obtained. 1. The average age was 38 years and the sex ratio between the male and the female was 58: 4(Male=94%). 2. The most frequent location of pain was low back (32%), and the pain was usually bilateral (81%). 3. The main stiff regions were the hip joint (35%) and the lumbar spine (27%). 4. The most frequent joint affected was the hip (44%), and the extraarticular manifestations were pleuropulmonary disease (29%), gastrointestinal disorder (15%), iritis (10%), etc. 5. The characteristic X-ray findings were sacro-iliac changes (72%), facet joint blurring (53%), and syndesmophyte (37%). 6. Laborstory findings showed increased ESR (85%), positive HLA B-27 (97%), negative rheumatoid factor (94%), and the serum immunoglobulins snd complements were not decreased.
Clinical Study ; Complement System Proteins ; Female ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Iritis ; Joints ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; Male ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Sex Ratio ; Spine ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Verrucous carcinoma, a distinct variant of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, was originally described as an entity by Ackerman. This histologically benign lesion features relentless local growth and little tendency to metastasize. The commonest location of verrucous carcinoma is the oral cavity. Less frequently, the tumor originates in the squarnous mucosa, skin of the genitalia(glans penis, vulava, vagina, scroturn and perineum), nasal fossa, the larynx or the sole. Now we report a case of verrucous carcinoma developed on the retroauricular area in a 49-year-old man. He was treated by surgical excision followed by skin graft. This appears to be the first reported case arising on the retroauricular area.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinoma, Verrucous* ; Humans ; Larynx ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Penis ; Skin ; Transplants ; Vagina

Primary hemangioma of the lymph node is an extremely rare vascular neoplasm, and only four cases on the subject have been reported in the literature. We describe a case of cavernous hemangioma in an axillary lymph node that was incidentally found in 70-year-old woman who underwent a modified radical mastectomy for infiltrating duct carcinoma of the left breast. Brief review of the literature regarding vasoformative lesions occupying lymph node is made with special regard to differential diagnosis from reactive-proliferative processes and other true neoplasms.
Female ; Humans ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangioma

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Child* ; Humans ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

Liquid crystal thermography is a new diagnostic imaging method detecting the temperature change by the physiologic disturbance as compared with the radilogic method detecting the anatomical distortion. We have used liquid crystal thermography in 54 patients with complaining low back pain during the period form 2nd. March 1989 to 30th. April 1989. Of these 54 patients, 35 had myelography and C-T scan, 23 had EMG, and 13 were operated upon. 1. There were 35 clinically positive patients on whom concomitant myelography and C-T scan was performed; 32 patients(91%) had a positive myelography and C-T scan, and 30 patients (86%) had a positive thermography. Of these 35 patients, 23 had EMG concomitantly; 17 patients(74%) had a positive EMG and 18 patients(78%) had a positive thermography. 2. Liquid crystal thermography correlated with myelography and C-T scan in 31 patients(89%), EMG in 18 patients(78%). 3. Concomitant thermography, myelography and C-T scan, and surgery were performed on 13 patients among them EMG was added on 5 patients; Myelography and C-T scan had 100% accuracy, thermography had 92% accuracy, and EMG had 80 % accuracy. 4. Liquid crystal thermography is non-invasive method, dose not involve the use of ionizing radiation, and correlates well with clinical and surgical findings and other diagnostic methods, and costs relatively low. So, liquid crystal thermography is useful and reliable diagnostic method in patients with low back pain.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Liquid Crystals ; Low Back Pain ; Methods ; Myelography ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Thermography

PURPOSE: To compare standard laparoscopy-assisted Billroth I gastrectomies including standard lymph node dissection (LABIG) with hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery with the HandPort system (HALS) for the removal of early gastric cancers (EGC). METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 26 patients of EGC at Ewha Womans University Mok-Dong Hospital from July 1999 to August 2001. Seventeen patients (Group L) received LABIG using conventional laparoscopy-assisted methods and 9 patients received LABIG using HALS (Group H). We used staplers for the anastomosis, and a standard D2 lymph node dissection was done with ultrasonic shears or electrocautery. RESULTS: In group L, pathologic reports revealed 14 EGC (stage IA 14 cases), and 3 pm cancers (stage IB 1 case, II 2 cases). In group H, there were 9 early gastric cancers (stage IA 8 cases, IB 1 case). Significant differences (P<0.05) were present between group L and H in regards to the number of harvested lymph nodes (30.8 vs 18.9), estimated blood loss (462.1 vs 286.7 ml) and postoperative transfusion amounts (0.59 vs 0 unit). There were no differences in the mean operating time, distance from the lesion to the resection margin, postoperative leukocyte count, frequencies for pain control, wound size, time to diet, weight loss, serum protein, and postoperative hospital stay. Complications were present in 1 case in group L (enterocutaneous fistula) and 1 case in group H (gastric atony). There was one conversion to open surgery in group H. CONCLUSION: LABIG including standard lymph node dissections with both standard laparoscopic surgery and HALS were performed with equal outcome. The choice of surgical method depends on the characteristics of the lesion and the patient's physical factors.
Conversion to Open Surgery ; Diet, Reducing ; Electrocoagulation ; Female ; Gastrectomy* ; Gastroenterostomy* ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Leukocyte Count ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Prospective Studies* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Ultrasonics ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The present study was performed in order to identify the possible future location of the Department of Emergency Medicine and future demand for and supply of manpower through a survey of the heads of Kwangju City and Chollanam-do hospitals. The survey covered the degrees of recognition and understanding, the necessity, the future prospects, and the direction of development of the Department of Emergency Medicine. METHODS: A total of 33 large-scale general hospitals were selected in county districts having more than 200 sickbeds as of November 1999. Among them, the heads of 29 hospitals responded to the survey. The survey had a total of 31 questions, including 6 questions on the status of the emergency room. Six(6) questions concerned the degree of recognition of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Six(6) questions concerned the degree of understanding of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Six(6) questions concerned the necessity for the Department of Emergency Medicine, and 7 questions concerned the future prospects and direction of development. The results of the survey were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) As to the question of the degree of recognition, the Department of Emergency Medicine was known to all. That is, 50% of the respondents were well aware of the department, and 50% a little. Nineteen(19) respondents(65%) answered that it was convenient to have the Department of Emergency Medicine in a university hospital, among which 16 respondents(55%) answered that it was because of the rapid treatment of emergency patients. 2) As to the question of the degree of understanding, particularly, the areas of medical examination and treatment by the Department of Emergency Medicine, 15 respondents answered that it was for the treatment of patients who needed to receive emergency treatment, while 12 respondents answered that it was for the diagnosis and treatment of all patients who visited the emergency room. Only 7 respondents(24%) answered positively as to the possibility of the Department of Emergency Medicine using thrombolysis medicine. 3) All except for one respondent had a positive view on the necessity for the Department of Emergency Medicine, and all except for 3 respondents wanted to have specialized doctors in emergency medicine work at the corresponding hospital. As to the type of schedule, 10 hospitals(34%) wanted to have only night shifts, and 11 hospitals(38%) wanted to have both day and night shifts. Most hospitals, needed two or more workers in the field. 4) As to the question of the direction of development, many respondents were of the opinion that the hiring of specialized doctors in emergency medicine would not be of greatly help to the finances of the hospital due to increased labor costs. It seems that improvement of the medical system to improve hospital financing is a required prerequisite for the development of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Also, 21 respondents(83%) were of the opinion that it would take a considerable amount of time to activate the Department of Emergency Medicine with respect to the future prospects of the department. CONCLUSION: It was shown in the present survey that the heads of hospitals in Kwangju City and Chollanam-do recognized the Department of Emergency Medicine in a positive way, but it was necessary to establish both a delivery system for emergency medicine and collaboration with and support by other medical areas for its future development. It was estimated that in the future, more than 55 doctors specializing in emergency medicine would be needed as medical manpower for the general hospitals in the districts.
Appointments and Schedules ; Cooperative Behavior ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Emergency Treatment ; Gwangju* ; Head ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do*