No abstract available.
Hantaan virus* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome*

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical usefulness of a follow-up examination using serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) for the early detection of recurrence in patients treated for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients who were treated for recurrent cervical squamous cell carcinoma between 1997 and 1998, who had experienced a complete remission after radiotherapy and who underwent an SCC test around the time when recurrence was detected, were included in this study. The levels of SCC were measured from the serum of the patients by immunoassay and values less than 2 ng/mL were regarded as normal. The sensitivity of the SCC test for use in the detection of recurrence, the association between the SCC values and the recurrence patterns and the tumor size and stage, and the temporal relation between the SCC increment and recurrence detection were evaluated. RESULTS: The SCC values were above normal in 17 out of 20 patients, so the sensitivity of the SCC test for the detection of recurrence was 85%, and the mean and median of the SCC values were 15.2 and 9.5 ng/mL, respectively. No differences were observed in the SCC values according to the recurrence sites. For 11 patients, the SCC values were measured over a period of 6 months before recurrence was detected, and the mean and median values were 13.6 and 3.6 ng/mL, respectively. The SCC values of 7 patients were higher than the normal range, and the SCC values of the other 4 patients were normal but 3 among them were above 1.5 ng/mL. At the time of diagnosis, the SCC valuess were measured for 16 of the 20 recurrent patients, and the SCC values of the patients with a bulky tumor (> or =4 cm) or who were in stage IIb or III were higher than those of the patients with a non-bulky tumor or who were in stage Ib or IIa. CONCLUSION: The SCC test is thought to be useful for the early detection of recurrence during the follow up period in patients treated for cervical squamous cell carcinoma. When an effective salvage treatment is developed in the future, the benefit of this follow-up SCC test will be increased.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

PURPOSE: To assess the suitability of the Korean KOOS (Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score) as a patient-centered clinical measurement of the validity, reliability and responsiveness to the treatment of knee injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight patients who had experienced an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction or a menisectomy between Jan. 2002 and Jun. 2003 were examined immediately after surgery, and 6 and 12 months after surgery. The SF-36 and Lysholm knee scale were administered simultaneously to each case in order to calculate the inter-item correlation. RESULTS: Measurements of the test-retest reliability showed that all intra-class coefficients (ICC) were measured as r=0.75-0.89 and Cronbach's alpha was 0.73-0.81. Regarding the validity, there was a strong correlation with the SF-36 and the Lysholm, subscales (SF-36 vs KOOS: Physical functioning vs ADL (r=0.67)/Physical functioning vs Sports and recreational activities (r=0.61)/Bodily pain vs Pain (r=0.63)). In terms of the responsiveness, the average score measured preoperatively, and three, six and nine months showed a gradual increase. The effect size of pain, symptoms and ADL at postoperative 6 months was 0.8-1.1. A larger effect size was observed in the QOL (1.5) and sports and recreational function (1.3) at 3 months after surgery (n=25). CONCLUSION: The validity, reliability and responsiveness of the Korean KOOS was confirmed and is considered to be a useful clinical metrology for a knee injury.
Activities of Daily Living ; Humans ; Knee Injuries* ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Sports

PURPOSE: To investigate the degree of bone cutting errors and its deviation and to evaluate the differences between a planned value before sawing and an achieved value after sawing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with computer-assisted navigation system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 95 knees of 95 patients(81 females and 14 males) who underwent TKA with computer-assisted navigation (Orthopilot(R), AESCULAP) were studied. The planned value according to cutting block position and the achieved value according to achieved cutting planes were measured and compared. The bone cutting error which means a difference between the achieved value and the planned valued in each plane were statistically analysed. RESULTS: On each cutting planes, there were significant differences between planned values and measured values in coronal and sagittal plane of tibia and sagittal plane of femur (respectively p=0.0008, p=0.0002, p<0.0001), but coronal plane of femur showed insignificant difference (p=0.39). There was significant difference between bone cutting errors with valgus 0.05degrees (SD+/-0.66) in coronal plane and extension 0.47degrees (SD+/-0.91) in sagittal plane of femur and valgus 0.31degrees (SD=+/-0.80) in coronal plane band extension 0.21degrees (SD+/-2.09) in sagittal plane of tibial cutting (respectively p=0.0012, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Achieved values of bone cutting in coronal and sagittal plane of tibia and sagittal plane of femur on TKA were significantly different from planned values. The deviation of bone cutting errors showed valgus and extension in both femur and tibia. The bone cutting errors in sagittal plane were more significant than the coronal plane. Surgeons should take this bone cutting errors into consideration on operation.
Arthroplasty* ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee* ; Tibia

Carcinoid tumors are low-grade malignant tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells. Primary renal carcinoid tumor is very rare due to the absence of neuroendocrine cells in the kidney and ureter. Therefore, little is known about the management and prognosis of renal carcinoid. Here, we report a case of a primary renal carcinoid tumor arising from a normal kidney in a 21-year-old man. He presented with a left renal mass, which was found accidentally. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a 5.5 x 5.0-cm cystic mass with calcification. We suspected a cystic renal cell carcinoma and performed a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. However, the histology revealed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. We concluded that it was a primary renal carcinoid tumor with no distant metastasis and did not administer chemotherapy or radiation therapy. He is recurrence-free after 8 months.
Carcinoid Tumor ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Kidney ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Neuroendocrine Cells ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Prognosis ; Ureter

OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of prenatal screening tests for chromosomal abnormalities by analyzing the cytogenetic results of midtrimester amniocentesis METHODS: We reviewed a total of 1264 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis performed from February 1997 to September 2003, of which accorded to indications of cytogenetic studies. Cytogenetic results were analyzed with the distribution of maternal age, indications of amniocentesis. RESULTS: The most common age of total subjects was in between 35-39 years (37.1%). The indications of amniocentesis were abnormal maternal serum marker (60.0%), advanced maternal age (34.8%), abnormal ultrasonographic findings (3.2%), in order. The overall incidence of chromosomal aberration was 3.9% (49/1264). No significant difference was found between the mean maternal age with and without abnormal fetal karyotype. According to indications, there was 12.5% (5/49) of chromosomal abnormalities in abnormal sonographic finding group, 5.2% (36/688) in abnormal maternal serum screening group and 2.4% (12/498) in advanced maternal age group. There was statistical significance (P=0.004) only in abnormal ultrasonographic finding group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography was become to be more important due to development of high resolution ultrasonography, skillful technique and awareness of sonographic markers. Ultrasonographic abnormality could be the most predictive marker for abnormal fetal karyotypes.
Amniocentesis* ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Karyotype ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Donor Action (DA) is a well-known program used to evaluate the potential of organ donors and to survey hospital attitudes toward organ donation in a region or nation. DA has not yet been fully implemented in Korea. METHODS: We collected medical information on expired patients from 9 hospitals in Yeoung-nam province. We also passed out Hospital Attitude Survey questionnaires in those same 9 hospitals. We reviewed the medical records of the expired patients in the neurological and neurosurgical critical care units from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. Data was analyzed with a DA system database. RESULTS: A total of 704 patients were enrolled. Altogether, 307 patients (43.6%) were potential donors, and 26 patients (6.5%) were reported to an to organ procurement organization. Among the potential donors, a family approach was taken with 33 patients (10.7%), and family consent was obtained in 26 cases (8.5%). Organ donation was done with 24 patients (7.8%). Among the potential donors, 88.6% of them were not identified as potential donors. Hospital attitude surveys were given to 417 hospital staff members. A positive attitude towards organ donation was shown in 85%. However, only 55.4% of hospital staff agreed on the concept of brain death. CONCLUSIONS: Among the processes of organ donation, identifying a potential donor is a critical step to increase organ donation.
Brain ; Critical Care ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tissue and Organ Procurement ; Tissue Donors

Purpose: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by its acute onset of symptoms such as bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, severe hypoxemia, and pulmonary edema. Many patients with ARDS survive in the acute phase, but then die from significant lung fibrosis. Methods: The effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on ARDS was investigated using human lung epithelial A549 cells. ARDS environment was induced by treatment with lipopolysaccharide and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Enzyme-linked immunoassay for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and hydroxyproline were conducted. Western blot for collagen type I, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 was performed. Results: In this study, 8-μg/mL PDRN enhanced cell viability. Combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and pirfenidone monotherapy suppressed expressions of CTGF and hydroxyproline and inhibited expressions of collagen type I and FGF. Combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and PDRN monotherapy suppressed expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Conclusions The combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone exerted stronger therapeutic effect against lipopolysaccharide and TGF-β-induced ARDS environment compared to the PDRN monotherapy or pirfenidone monotherapy. The excellent therapeutic effect of combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone on ARDS was shown by promoting the rapid anti-inflammatory effect and inhibiting the fibrotic processes.