PURPOSE: A finding of only subtle open bladder neck unaccompanied by leakage at resting state, without any other symptoms suggesting overt intrinsic sphincter incompetence, is commonly observed during cystographic evaluation for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We tried to define whether this finding has any clinical significance in aspect of intrinsic sphincter deficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken in a series of women whose diagnoses were SUI in our hospital. The appearance of contrast medium in the proximal urethra at resting state without overt leakage on cystogram was named as inverted tear-drop (ITD) sign. Quantification of ITD sign was made by measuring vertical and anterior-posterior (AP) distances of this area. Various clinical and urodynamic parameters were compared between the patients who had inverted tear-drop sign (ITD group) and those not (non-ITD group). RESULTS: A total of 453 women underwent fluoroscopic cystography and ITD sign was observed in 273 (60.2%). Analyses were performed in a total of 290 women (ITD group 186, non-ITD group 104). There was a significant difference in mean age between non-ITD (47.0+/-9.4 years) and ITD group (51.7+/-9.5 years). Several clinical factors such as frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, duration of symptoms, parity, previous pelvic surgery, previous anti-incontinence surgery, urine leakage volume by one hour pad test were not significantly different between two groups. However, a ITD sign was significantly more likely to be in groups of patients with menopause and those with a low valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP). VLPP was significantly lower in ITD group (87.1+/-2.7cmH2O) than in non-ITD group (99.0+/-4.1cmH2O). VLPP in ITD group has a negative correlation with vertical (p=0.0001. r=-0.498) and AP length (p=0.0014, r=-0.23) of tear-drop area. Maximal urethral closure pressure was significantly lower in ITD group (48.2+/-1.4cmH2O) than in non-ITD group (56.2+/-2.0cmH2O). ITD group has more advanced types by Blaivas classification than non-ITD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cystographic ITD sign at rest might reflect some loss of intrinsic sphincter function. When surgeons are planning to operate SUI patients, ITD sign could be considered as an additional parameter in choosing operation method.
Classification ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Neck ; Parity ; Retrospective Studies ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; Urodynamics

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and paramyotona congenita share common clinical manifestations, such as autosomal dominant diseases with missense mutations at a gene encoding alpha-subunit of skeletal muscle voltage sensitive sodium channel (SCN4A). Exercise and cold provocation tests are physiological phenomena of clinical characteristics of these diseases. The authors experienced a case with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and performed these tests comparing them with a patient with hypokalemic periodic paralysis and a normal person. Significant decremental changes of CMAPs were found by both tests in the case with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, compared with those in a case of hypokalemic periodic paralysis or normal control. In conclusion, we suggest that exercise and cold provocation tests may be useful for the differential diagnosis between hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and hypokalemic periodic paralysis.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrodiagnosis ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Mutation, Missense ; Paralysis ; Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic* ; Physiological Phenomena ; Sodium Channels

We experienced a case of aldosterone and cortisol secreting adrenal adenoma associated with pregnancy in a 23 year old female patient.The patient complained of severe thoraco-lumbar pain, weight gain, sweating, anxiety, and mild abdominal discomfort. On physical findings, hypertension, tachycardia, facial plethora, moon face, buffalo hump and truncal obesity were found.
Adenoma ; Aldosterone ; Anxiety ; Buffaloes ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypertension ; Moon ; Obesity ; Pregnancy ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Tachycardia ; Weight Gain

Purpose: We aimed to identify risk factors for transurethral coagulation (TUC) using bipolar electrocautery for hemostasis during holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: We analyzed the clinical outcomes of HoLEP surgery performed by a single surgeon between January 2010 and April 2020 at the Seoul National University Hospital. Patient characteristics and perioperative parameters were used to identify the risk factors for TUC. The TUC group was defined as a case of conversion to hemostasis using electrocautery during the hemostasis step after enucleation. Results: Of 1,563 patients, 357 underwent TUC (TUC group; 22.8%) as an adjuvant (n=299, 19.1%) or salvage (n=58, 3.7%) therapy. Patients in the TUC group were older (mean±standard deviation, 70.6±7.3 years vs. 69.3±7.0 years; P=0.002), had more 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) use (35.6% vs. 25.9%, P<0.001), higher serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (5.4 ±4.8 ng/mL vs. 3.8 ±4.5 ng/mL, P <0.001), larger total prostate volume (TPV) (89.5 ±44.7 mL vs. 66.0 ±32.6 mL, P<0.001), and larger transitional zone volume (TZV) (57.3±34.9 mL vs. 37.7±24.2 mL, P<0.001) than those who did not undergo TUC (non-TUC group). In univariate logistic regression analysis, age, 5-ARI use, PSA, TPV, and TZV correlated with TUC, whereas in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only TZV was associated with TUC. The odds ratios (ORs) of TUC were analyzed per TZV quartile. Compared to TZV<22.3 mL, the OR was 2.42 in 34.1 mL≤TZV<53.5 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58–3.72; P<0.001), 5.17 in ≥53.5 mL (95% CI, 3.44–7.77; P<0.001). Conclusions The risk of TUC during HoLEP surgery increases in patients with TZV >35 mL. Therefore, TUC may be potentially necessary in patients with a large transition zone volume in patients with BPH.

BACKGROUND: To avoid the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and to overcome late vein graft failure, we routinely performed off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 2000 to August 2001, 104 consecutive patients underwent first elective off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization. Both internal mammary, radial and gastroepiploic arteries were used. Sequential and composite grafts were used to achieve complete revascularization. Perioperative adverse events and postoperative angiograms were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 252 arterial conduits were used with an average of 2.47 grafts per patient. A total of 326 distal anastomosis were performed with a mean of 3.13 distal anastomosis per patient. Cross over to on-pump occurred in seven patients (6.7%). Of these 4 were due to unstable hemodynamics during lateral or posterior wall stabilization as a result of cardiomegaly and 3 were due to uncontrolled bleeding during dissection of diffusely dimunitive deeply placed intramyocardial coronary arteries. There were no opeartive deaths. Two cases of perioperative myocardial infarction and transient neurologic complications occurred, respectively. Of the 312 distal anastomoses, 308 (98.7%) were compatible with Fitz-Gibbon A or B patency grading. CONCLUSION: Off-pump total arterial coronary revascularization was technically feasible in most elective cases with satisfactory early results. However, on-pump coronary bypass surgery should be considered in difficult circumstances, such as cardiomegaly or unfavorable anatomy of the target coronary artery.
Cardiomegaly ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Vessels ; Gastroepiploic Artery ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Transplants ; Veins

Centric occlusion-maximum intercuspation (CO-MI) discrepancy is one of main causes of evoking premature contact and resultant mandibular shift. These non-physiological conditions can induce temporomandibular disease, periodontitis, and non-carious cervical lesion. Therefore, if CO-MI discrepancy exists in patients who need extensive prosthetic rehabilitation, it must be corrected and then physiological occlusion must be restored. This report describes the treatment procedure of removing CO-MI discrepancy and prosthetic rehabilitation in a patient with 3.5 mm discrepancy, multiple caries and periodontitis. Proper mandibular position and modified opening & closing movement were confirmed by ARCUSdigma II and transcranial radiograph.
Centric Relation ; Humans ; Periodontitis ; Rehabilitation*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic significance of the beaking sign at cystography in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cystograms of 253 patients with SUI, defining the beaking sign as the triangular contrast collection below the bladder base in the resting state without overt leakage. Various clinical parameters including patient age, symptom duration, parity, the one-hour pad test, and urodynamic study data including Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) and maximal urethral closing pressure (MUCP) were compared between the beaking-positive and the beaking-negative group. The distribution of Blaivas type in SUI between these two groups was also analysed. RESULTS: The beaking sign was observed in 153 patients (60%). Those who were older and showed greater parity more often belonged to the beaking-positive group than the beaking-negative (p<0.05). Both VLPP and MUCP were significantly lower in the beaking-positive group than in beaking-negative group (p=0.03; p=0.01, respectively). Type-0 or -I SUI was more common in the beaking-negative group, while the frequency of other types was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The beaking sign has clinical and urodynamic significance, reflecting functional deficiencies of the intrinsic sphincter, and may possibly be regarded as an additional parameter in the planning of treatment.
Animals ; Beak* ; Female ; Humans ; Parity ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urodynamics

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metal primers on the bonding of dental alloys and veneer resin. Polyvinylpyrrolidone solution's tarnish effect on bonding strength was also investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shape metal specimens (diameter 8 mm, thickness 1.5 mm) were made from 3 kinds of alloy (Co-Cr, Ti and Au-Ag-Pd alloy) and divided into 4 groups per each alloy. Half specimens (n=12 per group) in tarnished group were immersed into polyvinylpyrrolidone solution for 24 hours. In Co-Cr and Ti-alloy, Alloy Primer (MDP + VBATDT) and MAC-Bond II (MAC-10) were applied, while Alloy Primer and V-Primer (VBATDT) were applied to Au-Ag-Pd alloys. After surface treatment, veneering composite resin were applied and shear bond strength test were conducted. RESULTS: Alloy Primer showed higher shear bond strength than MAC-Bond II in Co-Cr alloys and Au-Ag-Pd alloy (P<.05). However, in Ti alloy, there was no significant difference between Alloy Primer and MAC-Bond II. Tarnished Co-Cr and Au-Ag-Pd alloy surfaces presented significantly decreased shear bond strength. CONCLUSION: Combined use of MDP and VBATDT were effective in bonding of the resin to Co-Cr and Au-Ag-Pd alloy. Tarnish using polyvinylpyrrolidone solution negatively affected on the bonding of veneer resin to Co-Cr and Au-Ag-Pd alloys.
Alloys ; Dental Alloys* ; Povidone

Cancer of the stomach is responsible for approximately 650,000 deaths globally each year and is probably second only to lung cancer worldwide as an overall cause of cancer-related mortality. Similar to the situation with most adenocarcinomas of the gastointestinal tract, carcinomas of the stomach can spread by local extension to adjacent normal structures and can develop lymphatic, peritoneal, and distant metastases. The tumor cells, can also permeate diffusely into the lymphatic plexus of the bowel, more often at the level of the upper duodenum hut sometimes down into the distal ileum and the large bowel. We report a case of lymphatic metastasis of gastric adenocarcinoma to the ampulla of Vater with review of the literature.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Ampulla of Vater* ; Duodenum ; Ileum ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphatic Metastasis* ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: It is important to know one's own exact blood type. While the primary purpose of blood donation is an adequate blood supply, it is also an excellent opportunity for donors to confirm their blood type. Over 5% of the total population in Korea donated bloods in 1997. This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between increased participation in blood drives and an increase in members of the public's knowledge of their own blood type. METHODS: 271,346 blood donors at Dung-Bu Red Cross Blood Center answered to a questionnaire. The discrepancy ratio between perceived and actual ABO blood type was obtained through answerey questionnaire. Another 3,058 answered a more detailed questionnaire to probe their general knowledge of ABO and Rh(D) blood types were analyzed. RESLUTS: The discrepancy ratio between real and perceived ABO blood types was 1% but only 90.7% were confident of their ABO blood type. Only 58.3% were correctly answered to their Rh(D) blood type, and 98.7% of the donors who knew his or her Rh(D) blood type as negative were proved to be Rh(D) positive. The ABO discrepancy ratio was lower in females and it has decreased as blood donations increased (p<0.01). The discrepancy ratio increases with the age of the donor, and respondents over 30 had a higher discrepancy than those under 30 (p<0.01). Knowledge of Rh(D) blood type in transfusion was not well known to the general public. CONCLUSION: The study shows that the discrepancy ratio between real and perceived ABO blood type has decreased as a national blood donation rate has increased. Nevertheless, to increase the public's knowledge of blood type in relation to transfusion, especially to increase awareness of Rh(D) blood type, it is needed to conduct test exactly and to educate the result and general knowledge of blood type and tranfusion to the public.
Blood Donors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Questionnaires ; Red Cross ; Tissue Donors* ; Volunteers*