Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is histologically characterized by marked cellular pleomorphism of lipid-laden neoplastic astrocytes and bizarre giant cells showing mitotic figures and high cellularity. Inspite of its ominous-looking microscopic features, howerver, the prognosis is usually favorable. This tumor develops mainly in the supratentorial area of young people and frequently involves the leptomeninges. We experienced a case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in 18 year-old-male. In addition to the cellular pleomophism, the prominent reticulin fibers surround the individual tumor cells or the tumor cells nests. Immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy revealed glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression and pericytoplasmic basal lamina in the tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: The safety of ergonovine provocation for coronary vasospasm (CVS) performed outside the catheterization laboratory has been questioned. We sought to address the issues of safety, feasibility and clinical impact of noninvasive diagnosis of CVS. METHOD AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of bedside ergonovine provocation testing with monitoring of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) by 2-dimensional echocardiography (ergonovine echocardiography, Erg Echo). After confirmation of no significant fixed epicardial coronary artery disease, 1,504 Erg Echo were performed in 1,372 patients from July 1991 to December 1997. Erg Echo was prematurely terminated in 13 patients (0.9%) due to limiting side effects unrelated with myocardial ischemia. Among 1,491 completed tests, 32% (477) showed positive results with development of RWMAs in 467 tests (98%) or ST displacement in ECG in 10 tests (2%). During the test, transient arrhythmias developed in 1.7% (26/1491) including transient ventricular tachycardia (2) and atrioventricular block (4), which were promptly reversed with nitroglycerin. There were no procedure-related death or development of myocardial infarction. On the basis of angiographic criteria in 218 patients, who also underwent invasive spasm provocation test during coronary angiography, the sensitivity and specificity of Erg Echo for the diagnosis of CVS were 93% and 91% respectively. From 1990 to 1997, total 2,073 spasm provocation tests were performed either during invasive coronary angiography in the catheterization or in the echocardiography laboratory. Since 1994, noninvasive Erg Echo became a more popular diagnostic method and comprised more than 95% of all spasm provocation tests in recent 3 years. Erg Echo was also performed safely in outpatient clinic setting without hospital admission in 34% (500/1491). CONCLUSIONS: Erg Echo is highly feasible, accurate and safe for diagnosis of CVS and can replace the invasive spasm provocation test during coronary angiography in the catheterization laboratory.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrioventricular Block ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Diagnosis* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Electrocardiography ; Ergonovine* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nitroglycerin ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spasm ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

BACKGROUND: The safety of ergonovine provocation for coronary vasospasm (CVS) performed outside the catheterization laboratory has been questioned. We sought to address the issues of safety, feasibility and clinical impact of noninvasive diagnosis of CVS. METHOD AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of bedside ergonovine provocation testing with monitoring of left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) by 2-dimensional echocardiography (ergonovine echocardiography, Erg Echo). After confirmation of no significant fixed epicardial coronary artery disease, 1,504 Erg Echo were performed in 1,372 patients from July 1991 to December 1997. Erg Echo was prematurely terminated in 13 patients (0.9%) due to limiting side effects unrelated with myocardial ischemia. Among 1,491 completed tests, 32% (477) showed positive results with development of RWMAs in 467 tests (98%) or ST displacement in ECG in 10 tests (2%). During the test, transient arrhythmias developed in 1.7% (26/1491) including transient ventricular tachycardia (2) and atrioventricular block (4), which were promptly reversed with nitroglycerin. There were no procedure-related death or development of myocardial infarction. On the basis of angiographic criteria in 218 patients, who also underwent invasive spasm provocation test during coronary angiography, the sensitivity and specificity of Erg Echo for the diagnosis of CVS were 93% and 91% respectively. From 1990 to 1997, total 2,073 spasm provocation tests were performed either during invasive coronary angiography in the catheterization or in the echocardiography laboratory. Since 1994, noninvasive Erg Echo became a more popular diagnostic method and comprised more than 95% of all spasm provocation tests in recent 3 years. Erg Echo was also performed safely in outpatient clinic setting without hospital admission in 34% (500/1491). CONCLUSIONS: Erg Echo is highly feasible, accurate and safe for diagnosis of CVS and can replace the invasive spasm provocation test during coronary angiography in the catheterization laboratory.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Atrioventricular Block ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vasospasm* ; Diagnosis* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Electrocardiography ; Ergonovine* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Nitroglycerin ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spasm ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

No abstract available.
Krukenberg Tumor*

A survey was conducted to study perception and attitudes of examinees of, health screening center towards items, cost and procedures of health examination and degree of satisfaction with health examination, from March 2 to May 31, 1995. The study population was 468 examinees received health examination at Health Screening & Diagnosis Center of Yeungnam University Hospital. A questionnaire method was used to collect data. The followings are summaries of findings Examinees were predominantly male(77.4%) ; had college education(68.6%), and held white-collar workers (57.8%). Statistical significance of association between frequency of periodic health examination and other variables
Diagnosis ; Mass Screening*

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disease which can affect every organ system. Neurologic abnormalities are common, occuring in approximately half of all patients at some time during the course of their illness. But symptoms of nervous system as the sole presenting symptoms occur in less than 1% of lupus patients. In patients initially presenting with neurologic symptoms and signs, differential diagnosis is difficult and sometimes it may be misdiagnosed. Therefore extensive laboratory investigations should be carried out in all patients with unusual neurological symptoms, since early diagnosis of lupus can help in providing effective treatment. We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with dysarthria and dysphagia resembling multiple sclerosis.
Connective Tissue Diseases ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysarthria ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Nervous System ; Neurologic Manifestations

Cyclopia is rare congenital craniofacial anomaly, in which the eyes are fused together and located in a single orbit. It is consistently associated with severe holoprosencephaly, which is the failure of cleavage of the prosencephalon with a deficit in the midline facial development. chromosomal study revealed 47, X( ), +13 (Patau syndrome).
Holoprosencephaly ; Orbit ; Prosencephalon ; Trisomy*

A wide variety of cancers metastasize to the ovaries. In a majority of instances the primary site is the gastrointestinal tract, breast, or other gynecologic organs. The best known tumor of this type is signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma. The gallbladder and bile duct are rare sources of these metastases. The authors have had an experience of a case that was presented of Krukenberg tumor metastatic from the gallbladder and report the case with brief review of literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Bile Ducts ; Breast ; Female ; Gallbladder* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Krukenberg Tumor* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ovary

Vitamins and their metabolites are essential for many physiological processes including immune response. In addition to regulating calcium homeostasis, vitamin D exerts various effects on cells of the immune system, such as macrophages, dendritic cells as well as, B and T cells. Low vitamin D levels are found in patients with autoimmune diseases, which suggest a potential role of vitamin D in autoimmunity. In this review, we discuss the roles of vitamin D in modulating immune responses and the clinical potential of vitamin D metabolites for preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Autoimmunity ; Calcium ; Dendritic Cells ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Immune System ; Immunomodulation ; Macrophages ; Physiological Processes ; T-Lymphocytes ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

No abstract available.
Humans ; Myositis* ; Rituximab