OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of en bloc open-door laminoplasty and to investigate the validity of various factors as prognotic indicators in patients with multisegmental spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL). METHODS: The authors reviewed 43 cases in whom laminoplasty were performed for cervical myelopathy between January 2000 and December 2002. Clinical symptoms and results were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) scale. The recovery rate was calculated and then assessed for prognostic factors such as preoperative JOA scores, ages, history of previous trauma, duration of symptoms and signal change in cord on T2-weighted magnetic resonance image. RESULTS: In cervical stenosis, canal widening of antero-posterior diameter and dimension after laminoplasty is 4.16mm, 87.43mm2 and in OPLL is 6.20mm, 117.61mm2. In all cases there wasn't neurologic deterioration, mild postoperative complications developed in seven cases. Four patient had a limitation of range of neck motion and the other one showed kyphotic change and another two showed C5 radiculopathy. The recovery rate of JOA score in cervical stenosis and OPLL was 62% and 68% respectively. Duration of symptoms, the severity(preoperative JOA score), and signal change in cord on T2-weighted magnetic resonance image had close relationship to the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Unilateral en bloc laminoplasty is simultaneous expansile and decompressive method. And preoperative JOA score, symptom duration and high signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance image can be used to predict prognosis.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Neck ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Diseases

OBJECTIVE: Severe vertebral body collapse (vertebra plana) is considered a contraindication to vertebroplasty by most authors. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of vertebroplasty in treating severe compression fracture patients with osteoporosis. METHODS: 16 patients underwent 18 vertebroplasties following postural reduction for vertebra plana. The fractures were defined vertebrae that have collapsed to more than 75% of their original height. Imaging and clinical features were analyzed, including involved vertebrae level, vertebral height after postural reduction for 2 days, injected cement volume, clinical outcome and complications. RESULTS: Involved veretebra were located from level T7 to L4. Vertebral body collapse averaged 79% (range 12~25%) of the original height. After pillow reduction for 2 days, vertebral body height increased 35% of the original height (range 15~45%). The kyphotic wedge was 12 degrees before procedure and was decreased 7.0 degree after vertebroplasty. The mean injected cement volume was 3.8 ml (range 2.0~4.9 ml). After the procedure, surgical outcome was excellent in 8 (50%) of 16 patients, good in 7 (42%) and unchanged in one (8%). The mean pain score (VAS score) prior to vertebroplasty was 8.3 and it changed 3.2 after the procedure. Cement leakage to the adjacent disc (5 cases) and paravertebral soft tissues (4 cases) developed but there were no major complications. CONCLUSION: We propose that vertebra plana due to osteoporosis is not a contraindication to vertebroplasty. Vertebroplasty following postural reduction for severe compression fracture is safe and effective treatment.
Body Height ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Spine* ; Vertebroplasty*

PURPOSE: Preterm formula used in Korea, theoretically does not supply the recommended mineral intake for optimal bone metabolism in very low birth weight infants(Formula 500-700 mg Ca/L, 300~370mg P/L, and 440IU of vitamin D/L). The purpose of this study is to identify th e possible etiologic factors and clinical course of rickets in these infants. METHODS: We recently identified radiographic rickets or osteopenia in 16 VLBW infants over a 30-month period from January 1990, to July 1992. We performed a retrospective case analysis to evaluate the clinical features, nutritional status, biochemical and radiological findings o f metabolic disease in preterm infants. RESULTS: Mean gestational age and birth weight were 29+/-2.1wks, and 1172+/-245gm. All infants received parenteral nutrition and 11 infants needed assisted ventilation. Enteral feeding w as started at a mean age of 9.4+/-11.0d and mean total calorie intakes were 62+/-16.2kcal/kg /d in the first 2wks and 111+/-26.9kcal/kg/d at 2-4 wks of age. Oral Ca/P intakes were severely restricted during the first month of life, and they were about 20% of recommended intakes of Ca /P for VLBW infants. At diagnosis of active rickets, serum Ca was high in 19% and serum P wa s low in 69% of infants. Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased in 56% and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was low in 67%. Active rickets was diagnosed at mean age of 38+/-14.7 d; 12 infants had overt rickets(grade 2), including 3 infants with fractures(grade 3). Healing rickets was diagnosed on follow-up at mean age of 67.3+/-22.0 days. Thus, metabolic bone disease of VLB W infants was associated with low mineral intakes compared to recommended intakes, and signs of P deficiency occurred at about 2 wks of age and persisted to 8 wks of age; hypercalcemia occurred initially, and these biochemical abnormalities precede the radiological abnormalities about 2 or 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors are related to the development of metabolic hone disease of prematurity; one of the most important factor in our study was nutritional deficiency, especially m ineral(phosphorus) and vitamin D. In preterm VLBW infants whose adequate enteral feeding is restricted, mineral(calcium and phosphorus) and vitamin D supplementation would be needed t o reduce the development of metabolic bone disease in preterm infants.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Birth Weight ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Diagnosis ; Enteral Nutrition ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Korea ; Malnutrition ; Metabolic Diseases ; Metabolism ; Nutritional Status ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Retrospective Studies ; Rickets ; Ventilation ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia(CNL) is a rare disorder characterized by persistent neutrophilia of mature cell type without evidence of infection, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score and the absence of Philadelphia chromosome We report a typical case of CNL with multiple myeloma(IgG-lambda type) in 68 years old female. Many neutrophils had toxic granule and vacuole. The peripheral blood smear showed neutrophlic leukocytosis(50,940/microliter, neutrophil 94%) with rare immature form. The cytogenetic study showed normal karyotype without Philadelphia chromosome. She was diagnosed as multiple myeloma with paraproteinemia, lytic bone lesion of skull, and immature plasma cells in bone marrow.
Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Marrow ; Cytogenetics ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Neutrophilic, Chronic* ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Neutrophils ; Paraproteinemias ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Plasma Cells ; Skull ; Vacuoles

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most frequent malignant soft tissue tumor in adults. A primary MFH occurs most commonly in the extremities and the trunk, but rarely in the pelvic cavity. We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the unknown origin in the pelvic cavity with a review of the literature. The neoplasm occurred in the pelvic cavity of 53-year-old female who complained of enlarging nontender mass in the lower abdomen. The final diagnosis was based on the pathological report of the surgical specimen.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Extremities ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Both the beta-catenin and p53 play a crucial role in the process of colon carcinogenesis. The expression of beta-catenin and/or p53 has been reported to be associated with pathologic features of tumor and prognosis of patients. In addition, several recent studies have suggested a close biological association between p53 expression and nuclear beta-catenin level. We analyzed the pathologic variables and p53 expression according to the intra-nuclear beta-catenin expression in colon cancer to make such assumptions more clear since they are still controversial issues. METHODS: The expressions of beta-catenin, p53 and Ki-67 protein in colon cancer were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between these protein expressions and tumor characteristics was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The intra-nuclear beta-catenin accumulation was not associated with any of the pathological variables including lymph node metastasis and tumor differentiation, but it was correlated with higher level of Ki-67 proliferation index (P=0.006) and negative staining of p53 (P=0.015). Positive p53 staining was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.006), lymphatic invasion (P=0.03) and venous invasion (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: These results support the suggestion that intra-nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin may regulate the p53 activity in colorectal cancer. In addition, positive staining of p53 may be used as a valuable prognostic indicator since it was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic and venous invasion.
beta Catenin* ; Carcinogenesis ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Negative Staining ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the survival rate and prognostic factor of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received chemoirradiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 1993 to November 1995, twenty patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer were treated at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology, St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. There were 11 men and 9 women. Age at diagnosis ranged from 34 to 75 years. All patient were treated according to a protocol consisting of 40 Gy external radiation by split course concomitant with intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 500 mg/m2 given in a bolus injection 4 hours before radiatian on each of the first 3 days of each treatment course. Among them, 5 patients received incomplete radiotherapy. The follow-up period ranged from 1.3 to 29 months. RESULTS: In all the patients, median survival is 5.0 months and one and two-year overall survival rate was 34.3% and 25.8%, respectively. Median survival was 9.0 months and one-year survival rate was 33.3% in 15 patients with complete radiotherapy. The significant prognostic factors were stage, tumor location, and completion of chemoradio- therapy(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy resulted in improved median survival. However, the significant prognostic factars affecting survival rate in this analysis need to be verified further through randomized trial.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: As cardiac disorders, especially coronary artery disease is increasing in end-stage renal disease patients, the indications for coronary artery bypass surgery are increasing now. They have high risks for postoperative morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March of 1996 and May of 2000, medical records of 25 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery at Asan medical center were reviewed retrospectively. We reviewed the short-term results of preoperative risk factors, preoperative renal function, perative methods, operation results, hospital course, postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULT: Preoperative creatinine clearance was 12.68+/-5 ml/min and serum creatinine level was 6.18+/-3 mg/dL(range 1.7-14. 4). Preoperatively, 11 patients(44%) received dialysis and the others(14 patients, 56%) were not supported by dialysis due to adequate urine output. Of the non-dialysis patients(14 cases), 8 patients were newly supported by dialysis, perioperatively. Of the preoperative hemodialysis patients(9 cases), two patients changed dialysis method postoperatively to peritoneal dialysis. Operative mortality occured in 2 patients(8%) and the causes of death were sepsis from aspiration pneumonia and mediastinitis, and postoperative bleeding and mediastinitis, respectively. Postoperative complications were developed in 14 patients(56%). There were 2 cases(8%) late mortalities and the cause of death was catheter-induced peritonitis. The actuarial survival rates in hospital survivals at 4 years was 82+/-13%. CONCLUSION: The coronary artery bypass surgery of end-stage renal disease patients were performed with acceptable mortality(8%). However , because the morbidity and mortality from morbidity were very frequent, perioperative prevention of infectious complications and careful patient management are very important.
Cause of Death ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Mediastinitis ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritonitis ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Survival Rate