BACKGROUND: Dermatophytosis is sometimes difficult to diagnose deinitively if it has atypical clinical characteristics and mycological tests are negative. Histopathologic findings may be different depending upon the location and causative dermatophytes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate histopathologic characteristics nf dermatophytosis depending upon the areas of involvement. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical and histopathologic features of 32 cases of dermatophytosis which were diagnosed by skin biopsies at the Dermatology Department of branch hospitals of Catholic University Medical College from March 1985 to August, 1994. Histopathologic features were observed in three dilferent groups divided by location, area of terminal hair, areas of vellus hair and hairless areas. RESULTS: Epidermal changes including hyperkeratosis, parakeratos, acanthosis, spongiosis and neutrophilic exocytosis were frecuently observed in the three groups of Iermatophytosis. In 7 cases of tinea capitis and linea barbae, follicular and inflamma or changes of the deep dermis were important. Hyphae and spores were observed in 71%(5 cases) and 57%(4 cases) respectively, in the follicles. In 19 cases of tinea faciale, tiriea corporis and tinea cruris, change epidermis and superficial dermis as well as findings of follicular infundibulum were important. Herphae were observed in 84%(16 cases) and 53%(10 cases) in the stratum corneum and vellus hir follicle respectively, and in 3 cases the hyphae were observed only in the vellus hair follicle. Sandwich sign, known to be important clue of dermaliophytosis, was observed in only 5%(1 cacse, In 6 cases of tinea manus and linea pedis, hyphae and spores were rebserved in 100% (6 cases) and 33%(2 cases) respectively, in the stratum corneum. CONCLUSION: We consider tha histopathologic observations may of great help to diagnose some difficult cases of dermatophytosis and the presence of hyphae n .he vellus hair follicle may be a more frequent and important finding than the sandwich sign the dermatophytosis of the vellus hairy regions.
Arthrodermataceae ; Biopsy ; Dermatology ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Exocytosis ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Hospitals, Satellite ; Hyphae ; Neutrophils ; Skin ; Spores ; Tinea Capitis ; Tinea*

Catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma is rarely reported. We report a case of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma in a 33-month-old female that was treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She was tentatively diagnosed with acute myocarditis and presented with hypertension. Because of rapid patient deterioration despite pharmacological treatments, ECMO was applied. ECMO can be helpful in cases of catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy associated with neuroblastoma.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Catecholamines ; Child, Preschool ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocarditis ; Neuroblastoma*

PURPOSE: To report a case of keratoconjunctivitis induced by Dieffenbachia plant sap. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old woman presented with severe ocular pain and decreased visual acuity which developed after she accidentally got Dieffenbachia plant sap in her left eye. During her initial evaluation, visual acuity was 0.4 in her left eye. On slit lamp examination, we found that she had moderate injection of the conjunctiva, an epithelial defect, and fine needle-like blue crystals in the stromal layer of the cornea. The patient was treated with topical steroids and antibiotics. We checked the treatment response using a regular slit lamp examination. Six days after the injury, all of the findings which were observed on the first day had resolved except the needle-like blue crystals in the stromal layer of the cornea. These gradually disappeared from the cornea 11 days after the accident. After six weeks, the crystals in the stromal layer had completely resolved. She maintained good visual acuity during this time. There was no opacity noted in her cornea. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of keratoconjunctivitis induced by Dieffenbachia plant sap. This sap caused severe ocular pain and a reversible decrease in visual acuity when in contact with the eye.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Conjunctiva ; Cornea ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; Keratoconjunctivitis ; Plants ; Steroids ; Visual Acuity

Intermittent positive pressure ventilation is used as a respiratory support for acute respiratroy failure. Adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) revealed mortality rate of 70% as yet. Hypoxemia is foremost problem in ARDS. Though various ventilatory support is tried on ARDS, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) is to be recommended when hypoxemia and hypercarbia are refractory to conventional treatments. Neonatal venoarterial (VA) ECMO in USA is recognized as a therapeutic modality for neonatal respiratory failure and extracorporeal carhon dioxide removal(ECCO2R) in Europe is used for adult respiratory distress syndome. The partial bypass using the membrane oxygenator aims at lung rest while relieving the hard ventilatory setting on the diseased lung. VA ECMO can provide circulatory support as well but the right internal jugular vein and the right common carotid artery are ligated for the cannulation of draiaage and perfusion catheters. Recent follow up study shows that VA ECMO may not be completely free from neurologic complications such as embolism in the systemic circulation and ill effects due to the reduction of blood supply to the immature lungs. ECCO2R adopts low-flow venovenous(VV) bypass. It has been reported to be valuable for treatment of neonatal respiratory failure. VV bypass provides gas exchange but no cardiac support. Venous drainage and perfusion catheters are placed in the right atrium or vena cavae via the femoral or internal jugular veins. Compared to VA bypass, the consequences of embolizations are potentially fewer, no major artery is sacrificed. Highly oxygenated blood flows into pulmonary eirculatiom which may relieve pulmonary artery hypertension. Total respiratory support may be obtained by VV bypass, VV bypass requires approximately 20-50% more flow for total respiratory sopport due to recirculation of oxygenated blood. Recently VV bypass is chosen for neonatal resyiratoty failure in USA. They alliveate the entry criteria for ECMO using the parameter of oxygenation index(OI). VV ECCO2R using to-and-fro system is tried also for neonatal respiratory failure in Europe. A double lumen tube was developed to reduce the number of veins to be cannulated during VV bypass. It is constructed with the outer drainage cannula( 14 Fr.) and the inner perfusion cannula( 8 Fr.) whose opening is placed on the left side of outer cannula. If perfusion opening is placed on the right atrium facing the right ventricle, the venous blood can be drained from both superior and inferior vena cavae through several drainage opening. To evaluate the effectiveness of ECCO2R with a double lumen tube, we developed an experimental model of acute respiratory failure on 8 mongrel dogs. Under general anesthesia with i.v, pentobarbital, a double lumen tube was introduced via the right internal jugular vein and it was connected with the extracorporeal circuit. Without ventilating the oxygenator during VV bypass, respiratory failure was induced by hypoventilation. After obtaining control hemodynamic and blood gas values under hypoventilation, we proceed to apneic oxygenation(AO), extracorporeal CO2 removal(ECCO2R) and controlled mechanical ventilation(CMV) in that order. Arterial pH in control was 7.180.09(meanSD), and it was increased to 7.33+/-0.08 and 7.28+/-0.08 in ECCO2R and CMV, respectively. PaCO2 in control was 69+/-9mmHg and it was decreased to 41+/-4mmHg and 47+/-7mmHg in ECCO R and CMV respectively. PaCO2 in control was 62+/-15 mmHg and it was increased in AO, ECCO2R and CMV. Mixed venous blood gas analysis showed the same result as arterial blood gas analysis. There was no difference between ECCO2R and CMV. The bypass flow enough to remove CO2 was 30-50% of cardiac output. It is concluded that ECCO2R using a double lumen tube was effective to control the carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood, and a double lumen tube may permit the simplicity of an operation and patient care as well as minimizing the bleeding during extracorporeal respiratory support.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Anoxia ; Arteries ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Cardiac Output ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Dogs ; Drainage ; Embolism ; Europe ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension ; Hypoventilation ; Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation ; Jugular Veins ; Lung ; Membranes ; Models, Theoretical ; Mortality ; Oxygen ; Oxygenators ; Oxygenators, Membrane ; Patient Care ; Pentobarbital ; Perfusion ; Pulmonary Artery ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Inferior

Localized scleroderma is a disease of unknown origin and is characterized by circumscribed sclerotic skin changes. When occurring in a linear pattern, it is called linear scleroderma. 'En coup de sabre' is a subtype of linear scleroderma which is characterized by band-like, ivory-colored depressions on the frontoparietal scalp region. Several treatment modalities have been used. However, they have not been effective or safe. We report our experience of two patients with 'en coup de sabre' on the forehead, who were treated successfully with polymethylmethacrylate microspheres (PMMA-NewPlastic(R)).
Depression ; Forehead ; Humans ; Microspheres* ; Polymethyl Methacrylate* ; Scalp ; Scleroderma, Localized* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection in the masseter muscle using electromyography (EMG) in an animal model. METHODS: Ten male adult (>3 months of age) New Zealand white rabbits were used. Muscle activity was continuously recorded from 8 hours before to 8 hours after BTX-A injection. The rabbits received unilateral BTX-A injections of either 5 units (group 1, n = 5) or 20 units (group 2, n = 5). RESULTS: The masseter muscle activity of the rabbits was significantly reduced immediately after BTX-A injection (P < 0.05 for both groups). When the results from group 1 were compared with those from group 2, only the peak voltage was significantly decreased in group 2 (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Masseter muscle activity measured by EMG was immediately decreased after a BTX-A injection.
Adult ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A* ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Male ; Masseter Muscle* ; Models, Animal* ; Rabbits

PURPOSE: In major burns, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is frequently diagnosed as a major complication of burns. But the risk factors and prophylaxis remain controversial. This study was designed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of DVT in major burn patients. METHOD: We reviewed all major burn patients (>40% of TBSA) admitted to our burn center from June 1998 to August 2003 and assessed each affected patients with an in-hospital diagnosis of DVT for DVT risk factors. RESULT: There were 9 symptomatic DVT detected among 606 severe burn patients (1.45% incidence). Patients diagnosed with DVT had no risk factors of morbid obesity, previous DVT, congestive heart failure or neoplastic disease, except one patient who had a polycythemia vera diagnosed incidentally. In eight of 9 patients, DVT occurred in veins draining burned extremities. All patients had burn wound infections as a complication of burns. Eight of 9 patients had longer hospital stays than patients without DVTs. In all patients, DVT was developed after operations for skin graft. CONCLUSION: DVT should be suspected in patients with delayed wound healing and unresolved edema of extrimites. Wound infection, long bed-ridden state and operations are significant risk factors for DVT formation in major burn patients.
Burn Units ; Burns* ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Extremities ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Lower Extremity* ; Obesity, Morbid ; Polycythemia Vera ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Transplants ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis* ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe aortic valve disease frequently display mitral valve regurgitation (MR). In such patients, the clinical course of MR after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) may be important for determining the treatment strategies. After isolated AVR, the change of the concomitant moderate degree or less of MR according to the type of aortic valve disease is not known well. The aim of this study was to analyze the postoperative changes of MR after performing AVR in those patients with severe AS (Group S) and those with severe AR (Group R). MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients with severe aortic disease and a moderate degree or less of mitral valve regurgitation, and these patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement from January 1996 to June 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: the aortic valve stenosis group (n = 29) and the aortic valve regurgitation group (n = 14). The patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively and at 7 days, 6~10 months and more than 18 months (mean follow-up duration: 38 months) postoperatively. RESULT: The mean age was 60.9 years (Group S: 62 years, Group R: 52.5 years) and 60% (Group S=55%, Group R=71%) of the patients were male. The preoperative MR was mild in 29 (67.5%), mild to moderate in 11 (25.5%), and moderate in 3 (6.9%) patients. In the Group S patients, MR improved in 16 (55%) patients at the immediate postoperative days and in 17 (59%) patients at more than 18 months postoperatively. On the other hand, all the Group R patients exhibited earlier improvement. The decrease of LA size had a similar pattern to the MR change, but there were no significant differences in the change of the ejection fraction of the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the patients with severe aortic valve disease and concomitant low grade MR, the MR after AVR improved earlier and more effectively in the patients with AR than in those patients with AS.
Aortic Diseases ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve* ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Pathology* ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Manganese could be toxic to the human nervous system. Therefore, it is important to detect the over-exposed patients in their early course of intoxication. The aim of this study is to find a valuable methods of clinical examination and applicable parameters for early detection of manganese intoxication. METHODS: we investigated the 35 men who had been exposed to manganese over 5 years. All the subjects were examined and video monitored by three physicians. We separated them into the two groups(Group A: clinically suspicious, Group B: clinically normal) in terms of their motor functions, gait, posture, expression. Motor functions(finger and foot tapping, rapid alternating movement, pegboard exam, writing and walking velocity etc.), MRIs, and biochemical data were measured and compared. RESULTS: No one showed significant effects of manganese intoxication . Also there were no significant differences between the two groups for their biochemical data except for elevated serum Adenosine deaminase(ADA) in clinically suspicious group. But there was a trend that motor functions were decreased especially for the finger and foot tapping, walking velocity and stride, writing velocity. A large number of subjects showed MRI changes in both groups. So MRI is not necessarily correlated with clinical findings and not a specific diagnostic tool for manganese intoxication but a sensitive one for the exposed subjects to manganese. CONCLUSION: From this study, the decreased motor functions were the only clinically significant neurologic manifestation in those who over-exposed subjects to manganese. The level of serum ADA and brain MRI could be a helpful supportive diagnostic tools for the over-exposure. Even if the subjects with these positive results do not show any significant sign of intoxication , we ought to modify their working environment to reduce further exposure.
Adenosine ; Brain ; Fingers ; Foot ; Gait ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Manganese* ; Nervous System ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Posture ; Walking ; Writing

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define the optimal target concentration of remifentanil which effectively achieves conscious sedation without significant vital sign changes and side effects during spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty patients underwent spinal anesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (8-16 mg), and were infused with a target controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil at 1.0 ng/ml (group R10, n = 15), 2.0 ng/ml (group R20, n = 15), 3.0 ng/ml (group R30, n = 15), and 3.5 ng/ml (group R35, n = 15). Observer's assessment of alertness/sedation (OAA/S) scale, the bispectral index (BIS), anxiety levels and infusion rate of remifentanil were monitored during the operation. RESULTS: OAA/S scale was significantly lower in groups R30 (3.96) and R35 (3.34) than groups R10 (4.31) and R20 (4.26). Incidence of intraoperative respiratory depression events, post operative nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in group R35 than the other groups. There were no significant differences in BIS, anxiety level and incidences of recall of the operative procedure among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the TCI of remifentanil at 3.0 ng/ml produces an effective sedation and anti-anxiety effects without significant side effects during spinal anesthesia.
Anesthesia, Spinal ; Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Anxiety ; Bupivacaine ; Conscious Sedation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Piperidines ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Vital Signs ; Vomiting