No abstract available.
Hernia*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome and identify predictors of success of biofeedback therapy for patients with internal rectal intussusception. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (median age. 54 years, 15 female, 6 male) diagnosed with internal rectal intussusception by using cinedefecography were evaluated by standardized questionnaire, before, immediately after treatment, and at follow-up. Clinical bowel symptoms and anorectal physiological studies were also analyzed. RESULTS: Follow up (median: 15, range 2~24 months) results were evaluated by an independent observer in 20 patients. At post-biofeedback, 20 (95%) patients felt improvement in symptoms, including 7 (33%) with complete symptom relief. At follow-up, 17 (85%) patients felt improvement in symptoms, including 7 (35%) with complete symptom relief. There was a significant reduction in difficult defecation (from 90 to 29, 10 percent, from pre-biofeedback to post-biofeedback, and at follow up respectively; P<0.001), sensation of incomplete defecation (from 90 to 24, 35 percent; P<0.001), enema use (from 29 to 0, 0 percent; P<0.01), and anal pain (from 19 to 0, 0 percent; P<0.05). Digitation (from 19 to 0 percent, from pre- biofeedback to at follow up; P<0.05) and laxative use (from 29 to 5 percent; P<0.05) were also decreased. Normal spontaneous bowel movement was increased from 52 percent, at pre-biofeedback to 86 percent, at post- biofeedback (P<0.05), 95 percent at follow up (P<0.005). Low bowel frequency, at pre-biofeedback (P<0.01), and hard stool (P<0.05) predicted poor outcome. Long puborectalis length during push (P<0.05) and dynamic descent (P<0.05) on defecography also predicted poor outcome. Low electrical activities of puborectalis and anal sphincter muscle during rest (P<0.001), squeeze (P<0.01) and push (P<0.005) on pre-biofeedback electromyography were related to poor outcome. No patient developed full rectal prolapse during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback is an effective option and should be considered as the first line therapy especially for patients that don't have low bowel frequency, long puborectalis during push, and dynamic descent before treatment.
Anal Canal ; Biofeedback, Psychology* ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Electromyography ; Enema ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rectal Prolapse ; Sensation

Primary aldosteronism is present in approximately 1% of unselectd hypertensive patients. Adrenal adenoma is a known as one of the surgically curable form of the hypertension. Hypertension is one of the contributing factors for the development of aortic dissection. Cincurrence of aortic dissection in patient with primary aldosteronism is extemely rare. Only one case wasconfirmed by autopsy and reported in the world literature. We report a case of DeBakey type 3 anortic aneursm in a 49-year old hypertensive female patient with primary aldosteronism due to left adrenal adenoma. She underwent left adrenalectomy uneventfully after stabilization of her blood pressure with maximal medical management including nitroprusside, aldactone, enalapril and inderal.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Autopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Enalapril ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Middle Aged ; Nitroprusside ; Propranolol ; Spironolactone

PURPOSE: One of the most difficult problems in the care of children with nephrotic syndrome remains the occurrence of relapses, despite initial response to steroids. Constantinescu reported that rapidity of initial response to steroid therapy could predict fewer relapses in the first year. So we evaluated the changes in serum lipid abnormalities in children with corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome before steroid treatment and the correlation between serum lipid levels and renal function, days to remission. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of children who were managed by us between October 1994 and August 2000. In 33 patients with corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome, we evaluated the correlation between serum lipid levels and renal function [Creatinine clearance(Ccr)] and proteinuria before steroid treatment, and days to remission defined as the third day when the patient`s urine becomes protein free. RESULTS: There were 21 males and 12 females. Median age at presentation was 6.4 years (range: 1.8-17.3 years). Median days to remission were 15.4 days (range 4-42 days) on Prednisolone 60mg/m2 daily. The increased levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, Lipoprotein(a) were observed. But the level of HDL cholesterol was not increased. Serum albumin was decreased and proteinuria was increased before steroid treatment. But Ccr was not decreased. There were negative correlation between serum albumin and total cholesterol (r = -0.5157, P<0.005), LDL cholesterol (r = -0.5543, P<0.005), total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (r = -0.4506, P<0.01), lipoprotein(a) (r = -0.4570, P<0.025), apolipoprotein B (r = -0.5297, P<0.025), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 (r = -0.5851, P<0.01), apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol (r = -0.4961, P<0.05) before steroid treatment. There was no correlation between proteinuria and serum lipid profiles. Also Ccr and serum lipid profiles were not correlated. There was positive correlation between days to remission and HDL cholesterol (r = +0.4511, P<0.05), apolipoprotein B (r = +0.5190, P<0.05), apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol (r = +0.7169, P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This results reveal that HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein B/HDL cholesterol can be used as a predictive factor in corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome. We could not determine the significant level of these lipids for insufficient patients number, but these level may predict future relapses of corticosensitive nephrotic syndrome patients and thus may allow to better management and treatment protocols. More data and long term follow up studies should be needed.
Apolipoproteins ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Male ; Medical Records ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Prednisolone ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence* ; Serum Albumin ; Steroids ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: Percutaneous pin fixation is commonly applied for pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures. We analyzed the results of percutaneous transphyseal intramedullary K-wires fixation for pediatric forearm fractures and evaluated the safety of this procedure in terms of growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six pediatric patients with forearm diaphyseal fractures treated with transphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation were reviewed retrospectively. Authors analyzed size and number of fixed K-wires and evaluated postoperative complications, bone length discrepancy and any deformity at the last follow-up. We also evaluated range of motion of wrist and forearm as a functional result. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.5 years old and the average period of follow-up was 53 months (range: 23-85 months). Single wire was applied in each bone, and 1.6 mm sized K-wire was most commonly used for radius fractures and 1.1 mm K-wire for ulnar fractures. There was one superficial pin site infection which was healed by conservative treatment. There were no other complications such as premature epiphyseal closure, discrepancy of forearm length or any deformity. All patients showed no significant difference in range of motion compared to opposite side at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transphyseal intramedulaary K-wire fixation is one of the effective and safe operative treatment for pediatric forearm fractures without any deleterious effects on subsequent growth of radius and ulna.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulna ; Wrist

PURPOSE: Percutaneous pin fixation is commonly applied for pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures. We analyzed the results of percutaneous transphyseal intramedullary K-wires fixation for pediatric forearm fractures and evaluated the safety of this procedure in terms of growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six pediatric patients with forearm diaphyseal fractures treated with transphyseal intramedullary K-wire fixation were reviewed retrospectively. Authors analyzed size and number of fixed K-wires and evaluated postoperative complications, bone length discrepancy and any deformity at the last follow-up. We also evaluated range of motion of wrist and forearm as a functional result. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.5 years old and the average period of follow-up was 53 months (range: 23-85 months). Single wire was applied in each bone, and 1.6 mm sized K-wire was most commonly used for radius fractures and 1.1 mm K-wire for ulnar fractures. There was one superficial pin site infection which was healed by conservative treatment. There were no other complications such as premature epiphyseal closure, discrepancy of forearm length or any deformity. All patients showed no significant difference in range of motion compared to opposite side at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transphyseal intramedulaary K-wire fixation is one of the effective and safe operative treatment for pediatric forearm fractures without any deleterious effects on subsequent growth of radius and ulna.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulna ; Wrist

Although sporadic cases of transient fetal ascites have been described, pulmonary hypoplasia or hydrops fetalis may occur as potentially lethal complications of isolated fetal ascites. Antenatal fetal paracentesis may be useful in improving neonatal pulmonary function, however rapid accumulation of fluid after paracentesis usually required repetitive invasive procedures. We successfully treated an isolated fetal ascites with peritoneo- amniotic shunt. Under the ultrasonographic guidence, we inserted a Double-Basket Catheter into the left lower quadrant of fetal abdominal wall at the end of second trimester. Shunt remained in place until the fetus was delivered at term. The peritoneo-amniotic shunt can improve fetal outcome and avoid repeated paracentesis before delivery.
Abdominal Wall ; Ascites* ; Catheters ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Paracentesis ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of complications and diagnostic accuracy of CT-guided percutaneous automated gun biopsy, and to compare the results with those reported for fine needle aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using automated biopsy devices, 118 CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of pulmonary lesions were performed. An 18-gauge needle was used. Final diagnosis was made with operation or other methods. We retrospectively analyzed the frequency of complications and diagnostic yields of 118 biopsies. RESULT: Four of 118(3.3%) patients developed pneumothorax and two of these required chest tube insertion. Other complications were resolved spontaneously. 106 biopsies (89.8%) yielded sufficient tissue for pathologic evaluation. For cases of malignant and of benign disease, sensitivity was 91.8% and 87.7% respectively ; the corresponding figures for diagnostic accuracy were 88.5% and 78.9%. CONCLUSION: CT-guided automated gun biopsy of the pulmonary lesions is safe, witha pneumothorax rate comparable to that of fine needle aspiration. In the absence of a trained cytologist at the time of biopsy, the diagnostic accuracy of automated gun biopsy of pulmonary lesions compared favorably with the reported accuracy of fine needle aspiration.
Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Chest Tubes ; Diagnosis ; Needles ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To determine how clinical and angiographic factors relate to the amount of subarachnoid blooddetected by computerized tomography in patients with a ruptured aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January1996 and December 1997, 22 patients with a posterior communicating artery aneurysm were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Oval(three of four cases), funnel(both cases), and daughter-sac (four of five cases) types of aneurysmalsac were found among the 13 patients with a large amount of subarachnoid blood ; eight of these had a past historyof hypertension or diabetes. Seven of eleven cases of cylindrical-type aneurysmal sac were found among the 9patients with a small amount of sularachnoid blood ; eight of these had no past history of hypertension ordiabetes. The average S/N ratio (ratio of maximum sac length to neck diameter) of patients with a small amount ofblood was higher than that of patients with a large amount of blood(2.72 vs 2.07). CONCLUSION: Although manyfactors influence the amount of subarachnoid blood in an aneurysmal rupture, we found that a large amount of bloodwas frequently present in the oval, funnel and daughter sac types of aneurysm, when S/N ratio was low, and when anunderlying disease such as hypertension or diabetes was present. Conversely, a small amount of blood was presentin the cylindrical type, when S/N ratio was high, and where there was no of underlying disease.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Neck ; Nuclear Family ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture

Severe hypoglycemia leading to permanent brain damage is rare in non-diabetic population. We present one case where chronic alcoholism combined with prolonged fasting lead to such a state. A 51-year-old male patient, a chronic alcoholic, was found unconscious and brought to the emergency room. At the time of hospitalization, consciousness was stupor and he had a blood glucose of 5 mg/dl and MRI of the brain showed high signal density of the inner temporal gyrus and both hippocampus in T2 weighted imaging. There was no history of diabetes. After two months of rehabilitation, improvements were showed to Rancho Los Amigos recognition scale IV, fair grade of muscular strength in upper and lower limbs, FIM score of 21, and dysphagia was improved and nutrition supply was intaken orally. An alcoholic for a long period of time without adequate nutrient supply was experienced to develop into hypoglycemic encephalopathy and therefore reported.