BACKGROUND: Laser resurfacing has beneficial effects for the treatment of several skin conditions. Recently, the pulsed erbium:YAG laser has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for several kinds of pitted facial scars. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of pulsed erbium:YAG laser skin resurfacing at the setting of low or high energy for pitted acne scars. METHODS: 65 patients with pitted acne scars were included in this study. All patients had skin types III or IV. All patients were instructed to use tretinoin cream 0.05% nightly for 2-4 weeks prior to the laser treatment. The pulsed erbium:YAG laser with a 2 mm handpiece at the setting of 500 mJ/pulse, 3.5-5 W in 45 patients and 1,000 mJ/pulse, 7-10 W in 20 patients was used. Two weeks after laser treatment, topical application of hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%, and hydrocortisone 1% cream was recommended for 2-4 weeks. Facial photographs were obtained at baseline and 2 week intervals postoperatively. The results of treatment were evaluated for the changes of skin texture and color at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: In 45 cases treated with 500 mJ/pulse energy, pitted acne scars were improved about 46.7 % on average and no erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was observed after 6 months. In 20 cases treated with 1,000 mJ/pulse energy, pitted acne scars were improved about 64% on average and erythema in two patients and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in one patient were observed after 6 months. CONCLUSION: The results of laser treatment for pitted facial acne scars at the setting of high energy are better than those of laser treatment at the setting of low energy.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Cicatrix* ; Erbium* ; Erythema ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperpigmentation ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Skin ; Tretinoin

Apocrine hidrocystoma is an uncommon benign tumor derived from the secretory segment of apocrine sweat glands and another name for it is apocrine cystadenoma. A 48-year-old female patient had a solitary, translucent red-brownish cystic nodule, 10 × 6 × 7mm in size, on the periorbital area of her left eye. The lesion had enlarged very slowly for 25 years. We excised the lesion and identified it as apocrine hidrocystoma. This is a case of apocrine hidrocystoma with typical clinical and histopathological findings.
Cystadenoma ; Female ; Hidrocystoma* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Sweat Glands

PURPOSE: This study focused on in vitro cell differentiation and surface characteristics in a magnesium coated titanium surface implanted on using a plasma ion source. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 commercially made pure titanium discs were prepared to produce Ti oxide machined surface (M) and Mg-incorporated Ti oxide machined surface (MM). Surface properties were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On each surface, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red S staining for mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, and quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression, were evaluated. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP and GAPDH performing RT-PCR were performed to characterize osteoclast differentiation on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). RESULTS: MM showed similar surface morphology and surface roughness with M, but was slightly smoother after ion implantation at the micron scale. M was more hydrophobic than MM. No significant difference between surfaces on ALP activity at 7 and 14 days were observed. Real-time PCR analyses showed similar levels of mRNA expression of the osteoblast phenotype genes; osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and collagen 1 (Col 1) in cell grown on MM at 7, 14 and 21 days. Alizarin red S staining at 21 days showed no significant difference. BMMs differentiation increased in M and MM. Actin ring formation assay and gene expression analysis of TRAP showed osteoclast differentiation to be more active on MM. CONCLUSION: Both M and MM have a good effect on osteoblastic cell differentiation, but MM may speed the bone remodeling process by activating on osteoclast differentiation.
Actins ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; Cell Differentiation ; Collagen ; Gene Expression ; Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein ; Macrophages ; Magnesium* ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osteoblasts* ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoclasts* ; Osteopontin ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Surface Properties ; Titanium*

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic disorder which has frequent involvement of gastrointestinal tract. Non specific symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain are well known symptoms when the gastrointestinal tract is involved. The most feared gastrointestinal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus is lupus enteritis. The pathological change in lupus enteritis is usually a result of mesenteric vasculitis. Major complications such as intestinal bleeding and perforation may occur and sometimes result in sugery. Because of high mortality rate in case of major complications, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is very important. We experienced three patients with lupus enteritis who presented with severe abdominal pain and dirrhea. They were diagnosed by characteristic radiographical findings of small bowel series and barium study. All radiographical findings has been resolved completely with the steroid therapy. Conclusively we can induce complete remission by steroid therapy alone, if we diagnose lupus enteritis in the early period of disease course.
Abdominal Pain ; Anorexia ; Barium ; Diarrhea ; Early Diagnosis ; Enteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Vasculitis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an hereditary autosomal dominant disease characterized by development of hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum. The common symptoms are bloody stool, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The average age at onset of symptoms is 33 years. Because of inevitable progression to malignancy, it is necessary to remove the entire colonic and rectal mucosa. Current surgical options are total proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy, trans-abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), and restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Recently IPAA can give optimum control of colorectal polyposis in FAP patients with an acceptable incidence of postoperative complications and satisfactory functional results. We experienced one case of FAP who had malignacy in the remained rectum after subtotal colectomy. IPAA was done and the result was satisfactory.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenomatous Polyposis Coli* ; Adenomatous Polyps ; Colectomy* ; Colon ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Incidence ; Mucous Membrane ; Postoperative Complications ; Proctocolectomy, Restorative ; Rectum*

Scrotal leiomyosarcoma arising from dartos layer not involving the testis, epididymis or spermatic cord is very rare tumor. We report a case of scrotal leiomyosarcoma in 29 year old man who present with right scrotal painless growing mass. The lesion had been for 3 months but there was no related symptom such as pain or tenderness. The excised lesion was 3 x 3cm sized ovoid mass with smooth surface and it had no relationship with the testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. Its pathologic finding was compatible with leiomyosarcoma. So additional radical orchiectomy was done.
Adult ; Epididymis ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Scrotum* ; Spermatic Cord ; Testis

Many symptoms of age related bladder dysfunction may be associated with urethral dysfunction. We compared the contractile responsiveness of urethral strips from young adults (6-9 months) and old (24-27 months) male Fisher 344 rats. Circularly and longitudinally oriented urethral strips from proximal (bladder neck) and distal urethra were obtained and suspended in organ baths containing Tyrodes buffer. Contractile responses to field stimulation (FS), phenylephrine, bethanechol and KC1 were recorded. Results were as followed: 1. Contractile responses of proximal urethral strips from old rats to FS, bethanechol, phenylephrine, KCI were greater than those of young rats. In young rats, general order of responsiveness was FS >KC1 = phenylephrine >bethanechol. In old rats, it became FS >bethanechol >KCI = phenylephrine. 2. Magnitude of the contractile responses for distal urethral strips were significantly lower than for proximal urethra and there were no significant differences of the responses between two age group. 3. For the circularly oriented strips, responses of old rats to FS, bethanechol, phenylephrine and KC1 also were greater than those of young rats. In young rats, general order of responsiveness was FS>KCl =phenylephrine =bethanechol. In old rats, it became FS>bethanechol >KC1 >phenylephrine. 4. For the longitudinally oriented strips, responsiveness to FS and bethanechol was similar between younger and old rats. However, responses to phenylephrine were greater for young rats than for old ones. For both young and old rats, general order of contractile responsiveness was FS>phenylephrine=KCl>bethanechol, In old rats contractile responses of proximal, circular urethral strips to various stimulation were greater than those in young ones. 5. Degree of field stimulated relaxant responses of the urethra precontracted by phenylephrine were similar between two age groups at higher frequencies(16-64 Hz.): whereas higher degrees of relaxation were observed in young rats at lower frequencies(1-8 Hz.). Circularly oriented urethral strips showed better relaxation with FS than did longitudinal ones. Relaxant responses were only partially (50%) blocked by preincubation of L-NAME. These results suggest that as male became older, their urethra responds to various stimulation with obstructive pattern than did the younger ones and also, lesser degree of urethral relaxation may causes obstructive voiding due to poor Opening of bladder outlet. Also it can be said that the ratio of the receptor density of cholinergic and adrenergic nerves varies as one become old.
Aging* ; Animals ; Baths ; Bethanechol ; Humans ; Male* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Phenylephrine ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Young Adult

Many symptoms of age related bladder dysfunction may be associated with urethral dysfunction. We compared the contractile responsiveness of urethral strips from young adults (6-9 months) and old (24-27 months) male Fisher 344 rats. Circularly and longitudinally oriented urethral strips from proximal (bladder neck) and distal urethra were obtained and suspended in organ baths containing Tyrodes buffer. Contractile responses to field stimulation (FS), phenylephrine, bethanechol and KC1 were recorded. Results were as followed: 1. Contractile responses of proximal urethral strips from old rats to FS, bethanechol, phenylephrine, KCI were greater than those of young rats. In young rats, general order of responsiveness was FS >KC1 = phenylephrine >bethanechol. In old rats, it became FS >bethanechol >KCI = phenylephrine. 2. Magnitude of the contractile responses for distal urethral strips were significantly lower than for proximal urethra and there were no significant differences of the responses between two age group. 3. For the circularly oriented strips, responses of old rats to FS, bethanechol, phenylephrine and KC1 also were greater than those of young rats. In young rats, general order of responsiveness was FS>KCl =phenylephrine =bethanechol. In old rats, it became FS>bethanechol >KC1 >phenylephrine. 4. For the longitudinally oriented strips, responsiveness to FS and bethanechol was similar between younger and old rats. However, responses to phenylephrine were greater for young rats than for old ones. For both young and old rats, general order of contractile responsiveness was FS>phenylephrine=KCl>bethanechol, In old rats contractile responses of proximal, circular urethral strips to various stimulation were greater than those in young ones. 5. Degree of field stimulated relaxant responses of the urethra precontracted by phenylephrine were similar between two age groups at higher frequencies(16-64 Hz.): whereas higher degrees of relaxation were observed in young rats at lower frequencies(1-8 Hz.). Circularly oriented urethral strips showed better relaxation with FS than did longitudinal ones. Relaxant responses were only partially (50%) blocked by preincubation of L-NAME. These results suggest that as male became older, their urethra responds to various stimulation with obstructive pattern than did the younger ones and also, lesser degree of urethral relaxation may causes obstructive voiding due to poor Opening of bladder outlet. Also it can be said that the ratio of the receptor density of cholinergic and adrenergic nerves varies as one become old.
Aging* ; Animals ; Baths ; Bethanechol ; Humans ; Male* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Phenylephrine ; Rats* ; Relaxation ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Young Adult

Internal urethrotomy is widely accepted for the treatment of urethral stricture recently. However it is well known the fact that urethral stricture can be recurred after internal urethrotomy. In the presence of severe urethral stricture, internal urethrotomy can not be performed because the operator has difficulty finding his way through the urethra. During the internal urethrotomy or primary realignment of urethral rupture, we inserted the Nylon(#1-0) from the suprapubic into the bladder and then situated into the distal urethra for the guide of right way of re-internal urethrotomy when severe urethral stricture was developed after operation. With above methods, we experienced less difficulties to perform internal urethrotomy. We found the method as simple, easy way to manage of severe urethral stricture under the direct visual urethrotomy.
Nylons ; Rupture ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture* ; Urinary Bladder

No abstract available.
Decompression* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*