BACKGROUND: It seems that herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and its incidence is increasing. The reactivation of the varicella zoster virus is thought to be associated with the disturbance of the state of immunity in patients with herpes zoster. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the state of immunity in patients with herpes zoster in its acute phase(less than 7 days). METHODS: 1. Thirty patients with acute phase herpes zoster matched by age and sex against a control group, were checked for Helper/Inducer T cell(CD4), Suppressor/Cytotoxic T cell(CD8), NK cell, B cell and activated T cell by three color flow cytometric analysis. 2. Forty patients with herpes zoster measured delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity by means of Multitest' CMI. 3. Thirty patients with herpes zoster measured Ig G, M, A by means of N-antisera method.
Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral* ; Incidence ; Killer Cells, Natural

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It is not uncommon to encounter labyrinthine fistulae during cholesteatoma surgeries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative changes of labyrinthine fistulae after removal of matrix and closure by bone pate with fibrin glue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients who had operatively closed labyrinthine fistulae of horizontal semicircular canal in the chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma using CT. Seven human temporal bones with labyrinthine fistulae were studied. The fistulae were closed with bone pate using fibrin glue and fascia. RESULTS: Postoperative CTs show that, in all cases, the layer closing the fistulae was indistinguishable from the surrounding bony otic capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Canal down mastoidectomy with closure of fistulae using bone pate with fascia were effective for new bone formation at the fistulae site.
Cholesteatoma* ; Fascia ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Semicircular Canals* ; Temporal Bone

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: During the last decade, the surgical use of alloplasts has become more and more widespread among otologists. But extrusion has been the general problem associated in using alloplasts. This study analyzes the change of' surface and microcomponent of the extruded Polycel prosthesis following a long-term middle ear implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine extruded Polycel prosthesis were investigated using scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). RESULTS: They all showed a severe resorption of fibrous encapsulation and partial resorption of the shaft which faced stapes and footplate. The carbon component decreased and nitrogen and oxide increased more than the original Polycel due to microdegradation. CONCLUSION: Consistent microdegradation and resorption may be one of the factors causing extrusion of Polycel.
Carbon ; Nitrogen ; Ossicular Prosthesis* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Stapes

We report a case of multiple agminated Spitz nevi in a 16-year-old boy who presented with multiple nodules on the right side of his face. His past history revealed that there had been erythematous and brown colored papules on the same site at the age of four. At that time one lesion was excised and histopathological findings showed fairly well circumscribed spindle and epithelioid cell nests consistent with a Spitz nevus. Twelve years later, he presented with multiple agminated brown to black colored nodules on the face. Microscopic evaluation revealed nevus cells diffusely distributed throughout the dermis showing no or little junctional activity. In addition, these cells were embedded in a strikingly desmoplastic stroma which consisted of acellular collagen fiber. Immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein was positive. To our knowledge this is the first report of multiple agminated Spitz nevi in Korea.
Adolescent ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Epithelioid Cells ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nevus* ; Nevus, Epithelioid and Spindle Cell ; S100 Proteins

To estimate the possibility in the application of TiN ion-plating to the orthodontic appliance, this study investigated frictional force and frictional coefficient between non-ionplated and TiN ion-plated to the orthodontic appliance. The obtained results were as follows: 1. For each group, the frictional force between metal bracket and arch wire in the wet condition was exhibited lower than that in the dry condition. 2. In the dry condition, the frictional force was lowest with fourth group, and it increased in the order of the 3rd, 1st, and 2nd group. Same situation happened in the wet condition. 3. Experimental results using ceramic & plastic bracket showed that group B was lower than group A, and group D was similar to group C. 4. The surface texture after experiment showed that the scratch due to a friction with bracket was observed in an arch wire of dry contition. Also the surface of bracket was rougher than before. 5. We observed that a specimen surface processed with the TiN ion plating was smoother than that of without the TiN ion plating. 6. The surface texture of a metal bracket and an arch wire in the wet condition was observed smoother than that in the dry condition. 7. In the dry condition, the friction coefficient of each specimen was very similar to each other, but in the wet condition, the friction coefficient of specimen processed with the TiN ion plating showed lower values.
Ceramics ; Friction* ; Orthodontic Appliances* ; Plastics ; Tin*

Tympanic membrane (TM) perforation is common. Acute persistent or chronic TM perforations require surgical interventions such as myringoplasty or tympanoplasty. Current strategies of tissue engineering are focused on the regeneration of TM perforation instead of surgical interventions. To regenerate TM tissue or restore acoustic-mechanical property, bioscaffold or growth factors are necessary that will act as a temporary matrix for cell proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition, with subsequent ingrowths. In recent years, various scaffolds, biomolecules have been used for TM tissue engineering. Cells in combination with supportive scaffolds have rarely reported. TM regeneration by tissue engineering approach may be considered the greatest advances in otology. This review examines the current evidence for their use and the limitations of knowledge.
Cell Proliferation ; Extracellular Matrix ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Myringoplasty ; Otolaryngology ; Regeneration* ; Tissue Engineering* ; Tympanic Membrane* ; Tympanoplasty

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the causes of intoeing gait and to investigate the association between femoral anteversion and tibial torsion. METHODS: The subjects were 23 children with intoeing gait. The association between increased femoral anteversion and external torsion of the tibia was investigated by computed tomography and 3-dimensional computed tomography. The tibial torsion angle was measured by computed tomography. Femoral anteversion angle was measured by computed tomography and 3-dimensional computed tomography. RESULTS: The intoeing gait was caused by increased femoral anteversion in 67.4% of the cases, by internal tibial torsion in 21.7% and by other factors in 10.9%. There was a clear correlation between the degree of femoral anteversion and the degree of external torsion of the tibia. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that most common cause of intoeing gait is increased femoral anteversion and that in cases of increased femoral anteversion, compensatory external torsion of the tibia develops during growth.
Child ; Gait* ; Humans ; Tibia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complications of a knife myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion is rather frequently encountered. To reduce such complications, we have performed myringotomy using a contact Nd: YAG laser. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser assisted myringotomy (LAM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty three patients (106 ears) of ages 1 to 7 were investigated retrospectively. Under the intravenous general anesthesia, LAM was performed to create a 2.0 mm sized perforation. After LAM, a ventilation tube was inserted. RESULTS: All ears underwent successful placement of ventilation tubes. Compared with knife myringotomies, LAM was safe to use in the atrophic tympanic membrane. There were also less intraoperative bleeding and tube plugging, with much lower postoperative otorrhea and myringosclerosis compared to knife myringotomies. Granuloma around the tube did not occurred. Postoperative improvement of air-bone gap reflects that LAM does not damage the inner ear. CONCLUSION: LAM with ventilation tube insertion is more effective than the previous knife myringotomy.
Anesthesia, General ; Ear ; Ear, Inner ; Granuloma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Myringosclerosis ; Otitis Media with Effusion* ; Otitis Media* ; Otitis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tympanic Membrane ; Ventilation*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analysis the medial longitudinal arch of the foot with simple radiography METHOD: We reviewed 387 feet of 219 patients with no deformity who took weight-bearing foot simple radiography. Foot length, length from talonavicular joint to posterior heel (TN), length from cuneonavicular joint to posterior heel (CN), length from cuneiform-metatarsal joint to posterior heel (CM) were measured with the digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) files of the picture archiving communication system (PACS) (PiViewSTAR(r), INFINITT, Korea). RESULTS: There was significant correlation of foot length and relative location of joints of medial longitudinal arch. In males, relative value to foot length of TN, CN, CM was 39.86+/-0.97%, 45.97+/-1.20%, and 57.12+/-1.15% respectively. In females, relative value to foot length of TN, CN, CM was 39.41+/-1.19%, 47.12+/-1.44%, and 56.51+/-1.37% respectively. There were significant differences between men and women for location of joints of medial longitudinal arch. CONCLUSION: Location of joints of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot can be given a numerical value.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Foot* ; Heel ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Radiography ; Weight-Bearing

OBJECTIVES: Protein-calorie malnutrition has been shown to be prevalent among patients on chronic dialysis, And assessment of nutritional status of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) patients has assumed greater importance because of the association of protein-calorie malnutrition with increasing morbidity and mortality. So we observed the incidence and clinical effect of protein-calorie malnutrition, and we compared the indices of nutrition with dialysis adequacy utilizing urea kinetic modeling and cretinine clearance in CAPD patients. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in which eight parameters, based on anthropometry, blood chemistry and subjective symptoms, were scored according to the degree of abnormalities in 82CAPD patients. A malnutrition index was derived from these scores. We also performed comparative analysis to identify significant correlations of the indices of urea kinetic modeling and creatinine clearance with the other parameters of nutritional status. RESULTS: The malnutrition index classified 47(57%) patients as normal, 30(37%) intermediately malnourished, and 5(6%) as severely malnourished. Malnutrition index showed a significant correlation with the body mass index(BMI), triceps skinfold thickness(TSF), mid-arm circumference(MAC), mid-arm muscle area (MAMA), duration of CAPD, subjective symptoms, serum albumin, transferrin, cholesterol, and triglyceride. The malnutrition index also showed a significant correlation with residual renal function(RRF), and standardized creatinine clearance(SCCr). The TWR-Kt/V(total Kt/Vurea per week with consideration of residual renal urea clearance) was significantly lower in the severely malnourished group than in the normal group. Serum alkaline phosphatase and BUN levels were higher in the severely malnourished group than in the normal and inter-mediate groups. CONCLUSION: In assessing the nutrition status of CAPD patients, body weight, TSF, MAC, MAMA, subjective symptoms, serum albumin, transferrin, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea nitrogen, and alkaline phosphatase were considered useful parameters. There was a trend of increased BUN and decreased TWR-Kt/V in severely malnourished patients, and the value of SCCr was significantly lower in malnourished patients. However, no meaningful relationships between TW-Kt/V and malnutrition index or between NPCR(normalized protein catabolic rate) and malnutrition index were found m this cross-sectional study. As the number of patients with longer duration of CAPD or negligible RRF has increased in the malnourished patients, regular monitoring of these parameters, especially TWR-Kt/V and SCCr, may be helpful to assess dialysis adequacy to keep good nutritional status of each CAPD patient.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anthropometry ; Body Weight ; Chemistry ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Malnutrition ; Mortality ; Nitrogen ; Nutritional Status ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; Serum Albumin ; Transferrin ; Triglycerides ; Urea*